Content and Organization
4 Points
3 Points
2 Points
1 Point
My writing is clear and does what
the prompt asked me. My errors in
spelling and punctuation are so few
they wouldn’t bother you.
My writing is pretty good. I did
what the prompt asked of me, but I
did not give enough information or
details with my answer. I need to
add more. I made very few errors
in spelling and punctuation.
My writing is not clear enough, and
I drifted away from the prompt. I
need to use more details and be
sure they are accurate. I did not
notice the errors I made in spelling
and mechanics.
My writing needs to be focused and
organized. I need to write more to
the prompt and include a lot more
details and information. I have too
many mistakes in spelling and
mechanics.

(Includes focus,
development and

organization)


I used important details and
information.

I did not forget or lose the main
idea when I added interesting
details.
I was careful to organize the ideas
logically and effectively.

I made sure all of my details
connect to the prompt.


I explained my main idea, but I
need to add more information. I
need to choose more important
details and take out those that
aren’t.
Sometimes my writing moves
away from the main point or
details get in the way of the main
point.
I need to put my story in order.



I need to connect ideas so that
they all fit well together.

Style/Fluency
(Includes: voice, word choice, and
vocabulary; sentence structure;
legibility)




My word choice is awesome. The
words fit the prompt well.
I tried to use interesting words or
descriptions to make pictures in
the reader’s mind.



My sentences are not all the
same. I used different sentences.
My writing is neat and almost
perfect.


Most of my words go well
together with the purpose.
At times I could have chosen
better words.
My sentences are well written,
but I did not try different kinds of
sentences.


I need to write more clearly and
be sure I keep the purpose in
mind. I need to be sure I have
told all that I can to make my
paper complete.
I may not have included enough
details, or I may have spent too
much time on the details and
forgot the purpose.



I have not paid enough attention
to what I am supposed to write.

Writing is off topic.

Writing is illegible.
I need to include a lot more
information.
I need to organize my ideas so
that my writing is clear.
I need to make sure my writing is
complete and about the topic.
My writing may seem more like a
list than like a paragraph with
ideas that go together.
I need to be sure my writing stays
I need to use words that are
strong and effective.
My writing is not smooth, and I
repeat myself at times.
Sometimes you can’t read my
writing, and I need to be more
careful about spelling and
Most of my paper is neat and easy mechanics.
to read.
I may have made a mistake in
grammar, spelling or punctuation,
but you can still understand what
I mean.

0 Points






I need to write so that others can
read it.
I need to choose a variety of
words and be sure that they are
just right.
I need to learn more words.
I need to write complete
sentences.
My mistakes in spelling and
mechanics keep my reader from
understanding what I meant.
Points
4
3
Content/Organization

I responded to the prompt fully.


I used important details and information.


I stayed focused on the main idea and added interesting topics.

I completely connected my details to the prompt.

I used transitions well throughout my paper.

I used an inviting introduction and ended with a powerful conclusion.



2
I mostly stayed focused on the main ideas and added mostly
interesting details.

My ideas could use more organization and can use more transitions.

I have an introduction and conclusion.


I met some of the prompt requirements; I have not paid attention to
what I am supposed to write.
I used excellent word choice. The words fit the prompt well.

I used active and precise verbs.

Most of my words go well with the prompt.




My sentences are well written, but I did not try different kinds of
sentences.

My paper is somewhat fluent with little choppiness.

Most of my paper is neat and easy to ready.

I used some different sentences, sentence beginnings or sentence
structures.

I need to use words that are strong and effective.

My subjects and verbs agree.

I repeat myself at times and my writing is not very smooth.

I have used complete sentences throughout.my paper.

I have mostly short, choppy sentences and some may be

My modifiers/describing words are used correctly.

I put the correct punctuation at the ends of sentences.

I need to include a lot more important details and information.

I need to organize my ideas so that my writing is clear.

My information and details may be list like.

My writing is somewhat boring.

I used commas, apostrophes, and quotation marks correctly.

I rarely used transitions.

My writing is readable but somewhat sloppy.

I used capital letters correctly.

My spelling is most.ly correct.

I used paragraphs correctly.

I used abbreviations correctly.
run-on sentences.
My introduction and conclusion do not cover the main topics of my
paper.

I didn’t follow very closely and strayed off topic.

I need to write so others can read it.

My subjects and verbs may not agree.

I included a lot of unimportant information.

I need to choose a variety of words and make sure that they are just right.

I used too many run-on sentences or sentence fragments.

I did not provide main ideas in a logical order or did not support them.

I need to write complete sentences that are not just simple sentences.

My modifiers/describing words may not be correct.

I repeated some of my ideas.

I repeated words or phrases often.

I made mistakes with punctuation at the ends of my sentences.

I didn’t use transitions.

My writing is boring.

I need to use commas, apostrophes and quotation marks correctly.

I need to use capital letters at the beginning of sentences.

I have several spelling errors to correct.

I didn’t use paragraphs correctly.

I need to use abbreviations correctly.

I have many spelling errors to correct.

I don’t have an introduction or conclusion; my beginning and ending
are just there.
The writing is off topic.

Planning
I used varying sentences, sentence beginnings, sentence lengths, and
sentence structures. My sentences are not all the same.
My writing is neat and easy to read.

Language Usage
I used interesting words or descriptions to make pictures in the reader’s
mind, such as similes, metaphors, or other figurative language.

I used good details and information, but I could add more.
I mostly connected my details to the prompt.

0
I responded to the prompt, but I need to give more information and
details.


1
Style/Fluency
The writing is illegible.

My language skills need to be much better because the reader
cannot understand what I was trying to say.



I have evidence of
planning.
I don’t have
evidence of
planning.