Career Quest

General Writing Rubric

5

3

1

Ideas

My paper is clear focused, detailed, and engaging.

• My main idea is crystal clear throughout the paper.

   

• The reader can tell that I know a lot about this topic.

   

• I chose details that are important and interesting and hold the reader’s attention.

   

• I left out the “filler”. Details relate clearly to my main idea or story.

   

• My topic is narrowly focused and manageable.

   

My paper is clear enough to follow and fairly focused, but I need to include more information. Some of my details are too general.

• I think the reader can tell what my main idea is.

   

• I know some things about this topic. If I knew more, I could make this really interesting and informative.

   

• Some of my “details” are things most people already know.

   

• Some information is not really needed. It’s just filler.

   

• This topic sure feels wide- maybe I’m trying to tell too much.

   

I’m still working on what I want to say.

• I don’t know what my main idea is. I’m still working on it.

   

• Help! I don’t know enough about this topic to write.

   

• I need better details. I’m just making thing up as I go.

   

• I’m mostly writing to fill space. I’m hoping a good topic will come to me as I write.

   

• I don’t know whether my topic is too wide or too narrow- I’m not sure what my topic is.

   

Organization

My paper is logical and easy to follow- it’s as if I’m holding a flashlight for the reader.

• My lead grabs the reader’s attention and makes him or her want to read on.

   

• Every detail seems to be in the right order.

   

• My paper follows a pattern that works really well for this topic.

   

• I build strong bridges between sentences by using transitional words. My conclusion brings things to closure and leaves the reader thinking.

   

The reader can follow this, I think. The light is fading- but it is there.

• My lead might need to be livelier-but at least it’s there.

   

• Most details are in the proper order.

   

• I think I followed a pattern. I need to check.

   

• I used some transitions. They might not be strong ones though.

   

• My conclusion is OK. It might not make the reader think too hard, but it is there.

   

This paper is hard to follow- like walking in the dark without a flashlight!

• I don’t really have a lead. I just started writing.

   

• I wrote things down as they came into my head. I am not sure the order works.

   

• I don’t see any real pattern here.

   

• I wasn’t sure how to connect ideas, so I didn’t worry about transitions.

   

• I don’t really have a conclusion. My paper just ends.

   

Word Choice

Every single word I chose helps make my message clear, memorable, and interesting.

• Strong verbs consistently give my writing energy.

   

• I cut the clutter. I made every word count.

   

• I used sensory language to help reader see, hear, feel, taste, or smell.

   

• If I used new or unusual words, I tried to make the meaning clear from context.

   

Most words and phrases are clear. A few words may be too general – or misused.

• Some of my verbs have power. Some could use more muscle.

   

• I got rid of some clutter, but this still has its wordy moments.

   

• I missed some opportunities to use sensory language.

   

• I did use some new or unusual words – but I’m not sure I made their meanings clear.

   

My words are hard to understand. I am not always sure about what I’m trying to say.

• My verbs are ordinary.

   

• Some parts of my writing are wordy; in other parts I didn’t say enough.

   

• I did not worry about sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings. I just used the first words I thought of.

   

• I didn’t even know the meanings of all these words, so it was hard to make them clear for the reader.

   

General Writing Rubric

5

3

1

Conventions

The reader will have a hard time finding errors in this paper. It’s ready to publish.

• I used conventions correctly to make the meaning clear.

   

• I checked spelling, punctuation, grammar and usage, and capitalization. They are all correct. 

   

• I read the paper silently and aloud. I corrected every mistake I saw or heard.

   

The reader will probably notice some errors. I need to read this once more – and really be careful this time!

• I did a lot of things just right, but I also made mistakes. Some errors might slow the reader down or make my message unclear.

   

• Although I checked my spelling, punctuation, grammar and usage, and capitalization, I think there are too many errors.

   

• I read my paper quickly but should read it again. Maybe if I read it aloud, my ears would catch mistakes my eyes missed.

   

I made so many mistakes that I have a hard time reading this myself.

• The paper is so full of errors that it’s hard to spot the things I did right.

   

• I forgot to check a lot of my spelling, punctuation, grammar and usage, and capitalization.

   

• I did not read this – silently or aloud. I guess I should have.

   

Voice

My voice is strong and individual. The reader can tell it’s my voice.

• The reader will want to share this paper aloud.

   

• I love this topic, and my enthusiasm will get the reader hooked, too.

   

• I’m writing for a particular audience, and I’ve considered the interest and needs of this audience.

   

• I’ve used just the right voice for this topic. It fits like a glove.

   

You can hear me in the writing sometimes. My voice comes and goes.

• The reader may want to share some parts of this paper aloud.

   

• I couldn’t get excited about this topic; the reader can hear that in my writing.

   

• I thought about my audience sometimes, but not always.

   

• I think the voice I’ve used is OK for this topic.

   

I don’t hear that much voice in the writing.

• The reader probably won’t want to share this paper aloud.

   

• This topic seemed totally boring to me. I guess I sound bored, too.

   

• I just wanted this to be over with. I do not care if anyone reads it.

   

• I don’t think my voice fits this topic very well. It should be stronger, or different.

   

Sentence Fluency

My writing is smooth, natural sounding, and easy to read aloud.

• The reader can easily read aloud with the kind of expression that brings out voice and meaning.

   

• The reader will see plenty of variety in sentence length and structure.

   

• I avoided run-on sentences and repetitive or choppy writing.

   

• My dialogue (if I used any) sounds like real people talking.

   

Most of my writing is smooth. I might have some choppy sentences or run-ons.

• The reader won’t stumble reading this aloud. But it might be hard to get in enough expression to bring out the voice or meaning.

   

• A lot of my sentences begin in the same way. Many are the same length, too.

   

• Although I revised, I may  have missed some run-ons or other sentence problems.

   

• If I used dialogue, it needs work. Sometimes the people sound real, and sometimes they don’t.

   

This is hard to read, even for me! I can’t tell one sentence from another.

• I think the reader would have to work hard to read aloud.

   

• It’s hard to tell where my sentences begin and end. I’m not sure how long they are- or whether they begin in different ways.

   

• I am quite sure that I have run-on sentences or other sentence problems. This needs a lot of revision before it reads smoothly.

   

• If I used dialogue, I do not think it is effective. It needs work.