Informative/Explanatory Writing Rubric—Grades 3-4-5
Informative/
Explanatory
Writing
Ideas
Organization
Word
Choice
Sentence
Fluency
Voice
Conventions
Gr. 3,4,5
6
__The topic is introduced
clearly.
__Information and examples
develop the main idea(s).
__Carefully selected ideas
completely answer the
reader’s main questions.
5
4
3
2
1
__A topic is introduced.
__Some of the information
and examples develop the
main idea(s).
__The ideas chosen by the
author frequently answer
the reader’s main questions.
__A topic is introduced, but
little of the information or
examples develop the main
idea(s).
__Some of the reader’s
questions are answered.
__A topic is introduced, but
information and examples
do not develop the main
idea(s).
__The author did not think
about what questions the
reader might have.
__A topic is not introduced.
__Information and examples
are incomplete or unrelated
to the topic.
__Information is organized into
a strong introduction, a body,
and a satisfying conclusion.
__Varied and appropriate
transitions connect the ideas.
__The topic is introduced
clearly.
__Most of the information
and examples develop the
main idea(s).
__Almost all of the reader’s
main questions are
answered.
__Information is organized
into an introduction, a body,
and a conclusion.
__Most transitions are varied
and appropriate.
__Information is organized
into an introduction, a body,
and a conclusion.
__More or better transitions
are needed.
__Information is only partly
organized.
__Introduction or the
conclusion is missing.
__Transitions are not used.
__Writing is not organized.
__Introduction and
conclusion may both be
missing.
__Transitions are not used.
__Precise language and
domain-specific vocabulary
are used.
__Definitions are complete and
helpful.
__Nouns and verbs are clear
and precise, supported by a
few carefully selected
modifiers.
__Precise language and
domain-specific vocabulary
are used.
__Most definitions are
complete and helpful.
__Nouns and verbs are
mostly clear and precise.
__Most modifiers are
carefully selected.
__Some precise language,
domain-specific vocabulary,
and definitions are used.
__Some nouns and verbs are
weak, requiring help from
modifiers.
__Modifiers are satisfactory.
__Some domain-specific
vocabulary is used
incorrectly.
__Clarification and definition
are not provided for the
reader.
__Nouns and verbs are
vague, unclear, or confusing.
__Modifiers may be missing.
__Precise language and
domain-specific vocabulary
are not used.
__Clear, concise sentences
make the text flow smoothly.
__Sentence beginnings, lengths,
and patterns are varied for
effect.
__Paper is effortlessly read
aloud with inflection.
__Most of the sentences flow
smoothly.
__Sentence beginnings,
lengths, and patterns are
varied.
__Paper is easily read aloud
with inflection.
__All or almost all of the
sentences have similar
beginnings, lengths, or
patterns.
__Writing sounds robotic or
rambling.
__Sentences are incomplete
or incorrect.
__Voice sounds interested and
informative.
__It fully connects with the
audience.
__It conveys the writer’s
purpose well.
__Text contains no errors.
__Spelling, grammar,
punctuation, and capitalization
are correct.
__Voice sounds informative.
__ It mostly connects with
the audience.
__It conveys the purpose
fairly well.
__One or two sections of the
writing do not flow
smoothly.
__In these sections, several
sentences may have the
same beginnings, lengths, or
patterns.
__Paper can be read with
inflection.
__Voice sounds informative.
__It connects with the
audience somewhat.
__It conveys the purpose
some of the time.
__Information is not well
organized.
__Introduction, body, and
conclusion may be poorly
developed.
__Transitions are confusing
or not helpful.
__Little precise language and
domain-specific vocabulary
is used.
__Definitions are missing or
incorrect.
__Nouns and verbs lack
clarity or precision.
__Too many or too few
modifiers are used, and
many of them are weak.
__In many places, the
writing does not flow
smoothly due to repetitive
sentence beginnings,
lengths, and patterns.
__It is difficult to read the
paper with inflection.
__The voice sounds
informative in places.
__It conveys the purpose,
but often fades out.
__The voice consistently
sounds flat.
__It may sound uniformed or
uninterested.
__It does not convey the
purpose.
__Serious errors stop the
reader frequently.
__Errors make the writing
hard to understand.
__Voice is weak or absent.
__It does not connect with
the audience.
__It does not convey the
writer’s purpose.
__Text contains some errors
in spelling, grammar,
punctuation, and
capitalization.
__One or two errors may
cause the reader to pause
momentarily.
__Meaning remains clear.
Mount Olive Township Public Schools
__Text contains very few
errors in spelling, grammar,
punctuation, or
capitalization.
__The meaning remains
clear.
__Many errors are present.
__Some errors are basic or
repeated.
__Errors interfere with
meaning in places.
__The writing has not been
edited.
Rev. 11/15/2013