JFKHS WRITING RUBRIC

NO EVIDENCE (1)

EMERGING: PARTIALLY
MEETS STANDARD (2)

DEVELOPING: MEETS
BASIC STANDARD (3)

THESIS

Thesis is missing; no
clear focus or topic

Thesis addresses topic

adequately

ORGANIZATION

Not enough written to

show any organization.
Topic sentences missing.

May begin with response

to topic, but not
developed; ideas
repeated frequently or
randomly
Writing is brief or all one
paragraph

CONTENT

Not enough written to

show understanding.

Writing is brief, support

or details absent or
extremely limited

Contains some specific

examples or references
with partial support.

TRANSITIONS

No clear transitions

Very limited use of

transitions

Some transitions,
sometimes lacking

SENTENCE VARIETY

Not enough written to

show any variety.
Frequent run-ons or
fragments.
Limited to no use of
accurate vocabulary

Mostly simple sentences,

very narrow range of
sentence patterns. Some
run-ons or fragments.
Occasional use of
accurate vocabulary.
Limited word choice and
variation in sentence
form and structure.
Limited coherence and
readability.

Uses sentence variety

including simple,
compound and complex
sentences.
Acceptable use of
accurate vocabulary.
Adequate word choice.
Suitable variation in
sentence form and
structure. Occasional
coherence and
readability

Good handling of
complex and compound
sentences, some variety.

Parts of speech show lack

of agreement. Frequent
errors in mechanics.
Little or no evidence of
spelling strategies. Not
enough written

Inconsistent agreement
between parts of speech.
Many errors in
mechanics. Limited
evidence of spelling
strategies. Very limited
control of verb tenses.

Occasional errors
between parts of speech.
Some errors in
mechanics. Some
evidence of spelling
strategies. Verb tenses
generally correct with
some tense shifting.

Consistent agreement
between parts of speech.
Uses correct punctuation,
capitalization, etc.
Consistent use of spelling
strategies. Verb tenses
are correct most of the
time.

LANGUAGE USE

MECHANICS

c2012

Uses correct writing

format (introduction,
body, conclusion). Topic
sentence may be evident.

PROFICIENT: MORE
THAN MEETS THE
STANDARD (4)
Appropriately addresses
topic and thesis with
logical support

EXEMPLARY (5)

Provides introduction
with thesis statement;
clear organization of
ideas within the body;
restatement of thesis in
conclusion. Topic
sentences present in all
body paragraphs.
Varied support of main
idea; contains specific
examples or references,
and concrete, specific
details
Transitions consistent
and appropriate

Effective introduction
that captures interest
and provides clear thesis;
body is organized to
strongly support thesis;
Conclusion restates
thesis and broadens
readers perspective.
Strong support of main
idea; sentences
supported with reasons,
specific examples, or
details.
Clear transitions
throughout, some
sophisticated transitional
devices
Consistent variety of
sentence structure
throughout.

Ample use of accurate

vocabulary. Effective
word choice. Substantial
variation in sentence
form and structure.
Usually coherent and
readable.

Clear thesis statement

effectively addresses
topic with logical
supports

Extensive use of accurate

vocabulary.
Extraordinary word
choice. Extensive
variation in sentence
form and structure.
Consistently coherent
and reads extraordinarily
well.
Uses consistent
agreement between parts
of speech. No errors in
mechanics. Creative and
effective use of spelling
strategies. All verb
tenses are used correctly
and consistently