University Schools Informative/Explanatory Rubric | 7

th
and 8
th
Grade Name: _____________________________________________
Style/Format: ____________________________________


Informative/Explanatory Rubric
DESCRIPTION 4 - ADVANCED 3 - MASTERY 2 - DEVELOPING 1 - INADEQUATE
TOPIC
Topic is introduced
clearly and previews
what is to follow.
Topic is maintained
as writer moves into
broader categories.
Addresses all aspects
of the topic.

Topic is introduced
clearly and previews
what is to follow.
Topic is maintained.


Topic is introduced
and explained.
Topic is identified or no
topic is present.
ORGANIZATION

Organizes ideas,
concepts, and
information to make
important connections
and distinctions.
Appropriate formatting
(e.g., headings).
Uses graphics (e.g.,
figures, tables), and
multimedia when useful
to aid comprehension.

Organizes ideas and
information into a
logical sequence.
Appropriate
formatting (e.g.
headings).
Uses graphics (e.g.,
figures, tables), and
multimedia.
Organizes ideas and
information into a
sequence.
Begins to use graphics
(e.g., figures, tables),
and multimedia.
Does not organize
ideas and group
related information
across categories.
Does not use graphics.

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT

Develops the topic with
well-chosen, relevant,
and sufficient facts,
definitions, concrete
details, quotations to
show in depth
understanding of the
content.
Provides a concluding
statement that supports
the information.
Develops the topic
with well-chosen facts,
definitions, concrete
details, quotations, or
other information and
examples.
Provides a concluding
statement.

Develops the topic
with relevant facts,
definitions, concrete
details, quotations, or
other information and
examples.
Begins to provides a
concluding statement.

Does not develop the
topic with facts,
details, quotations, or
other information and
examples.
Does not provide a
concluding statement.
University Schools Informative/Explanatory Rubric | 7
th
and 8
th
Grade Name: _____________________________________________
Style/Format: ____________________________________
LANGUAGE
(word choice, transition,
cohesion, domain specific
vocab)

Uses appropriate and
varied transition to
link the major
sections of the text.
Creates cohesion and
clarifies the
relationships among
complex ideas and
concepts.
Utilizes precise
language and content
specific vocabulary
appropriate for the
audience.



Uses appropriate and
varied transitions to
create cohesion and
clarify the
relationships among
ideas and concepts.
Utilizes precise
language and content
specific vocabulary
appropriate for the
audience.

Uses appropriate
transitions to clarify
the relationships
among ideas and
concepts.
Utilizes precise
language and content
specific vocabulary.


Does not use content
specific vocabulary to
inform about or
explain the topic.
STYLE/FORMAT
Establishes and
maintains a formal
style and objective
tone appropriate to
the format.
Establishes and
maintains a formal
style that is
appropriate for the
format.
Establishes and
maintains a formal
style.
Does not establish a
formal style.
CONVENTIONS
Demonstrates
command of grade
level grammar,
capitalization,
punctuation, and
spelling.

Demonstrates grade
level grammar,
capitalization,
punctuation, and
spelling.
Errors are minimal
and do not interfere
with the readability.

Demonstrates below
grade level grammar,
capitalization,
punctuation, and
spelling.
Errors interfere with
the readability.

Does not demonstrate
grade level grammar,
capitalization,
punctuation, and
spelling.
Errors are significant
and interfere with the
readability.