6th Grade Writing Rubric

Ideas & Content (Ideas)

Stays on the topic (Does not ramble or
repeat)

6
Exceeds Stds.

Includes main idea(s) with 4 or more well

developed supporting details
Includes in depth information and
exceptionally supporting details, that are
fully developed
Creates clear/vivid images for reader that
go beyond the obvious or predictable

Organization
Shows mastery of multiple paragraph form
Has an engaging introduction and satisfying
conclusion
Has a clear sequence that enhances meaning
with a beginning, middle, and end
Uses effective, varied, and thoughtful transitions
between sentences and paragraphs
Use of pacing is well controlled

Style (Voice, Word Choice, Fluency)

5
Exceeds Stds.

Few or no errors in capitalization

Few or no run-on sentences or sentence

fragments
Indention of paragraphs all of the time

4
Meets Stds.

3
Below Stds.

Uses original ideas that reflect insight

Stays on the topic (Does not ramble or
repeat)
Includes main idea(s) with 4 or more
developed supporting details

Shows understanding of multiple paragraph

form
Has an inviting introduction and conclusion

Includes dynamic, vivid or challenging words,

enhancing meaning and clarifying understanding
Uses original, unique, authoritative and/or
interesting voice

In depth information and exceptional

supporting fully developed details

Has a clear sequence with a beginning, middle,

and end

Has a variety of complete, complex sentences

Creates clear/vivid images for reader

Uses original ideas
Stays on the topic (Does not ramble or
repeat)

Uses effective and varied transitions between

sentences and paragraphs
Show understanding of multiple paragraph
form

Uses literary devices effectively

Has fluent writing
Includes some dynamic, vivid or challenging
words

Includes main idea(s) with 3 or more

developed supporting details

Has an effective introduction and conclusion

Uses literary devices

Uses original, unique, authoritative and/or
interesting voice

Creates images for reader

Has a clear sequence with a beginning,

middle, and end
Uses effective transitions between
sentences and paragraphs

Uses complete, complex sentences

Has fluent writing
Uses complete, complex sentences
Has very fluent writing

Stays on the topic (Seldom rambles or

repeats)
Includes main idea(s) with 2 or more
developed supporting details

Shows understanding of paragraph form

Has an identifiable introduction and conclusion

Uses basic vocabulary appropriately

Stays mostly focused on the topic

(Rambling and/or repeating information)

Below Stds.

Includes some ideas with relevant details

1
Below Stds.

Stays minimally focused on topic (Has

unrelated, fragmented, or unfinished
details)

Has a logical progression of main ideas and

supporting details--has a beginning, middle, and
end
Attempts transitions between sentences and
paragraphs
Shows some understanding of paragraphs
forms
Lacks introduction and/or conclusion
Has limited sequence of events (May include
only one of the elements: beginning, middle, or
end)
Attempts few transitions
Does not attempt paragraph form
Lacks introduction and/or conclusion
Has limited sequence of events (May include
only one of the elements: beginning, middle, or
end)
Attempts no transitions

Language Conventions

Includes dynamic, vivid or challenging words,

enhancing meaning and clarifying understanding
and adding energy and depth
Uses original, unique, authoritative and/or
interesting voice
Uses purposeful and varied sentence beginnings
which add variety and energy
Has complete, complex sentences varying in
length and structure
Uses literary devices very effectively
Has fluent writing with cadence

Attempts to use literary devices

Demonstrates an awareness of audience
Uses simple effective sentence patterns

Uses basic vocabulary appropriately most of the

time
Demonstrates little awareness of audience

Uses limited basic vocabulary, uses some words

inappropriately
Attempts simple sentence patterns but not
understandable
Demonstrates little or no awareness of audience

Few or no errors in punctuation

Few or no errors in subject and verb
agreement
Few or no errors in the spelling of gradelevel-appropriate words

Most capitalization is correct

Indention of paragraphs all of the time
Most sentences contain correct
punctuation
Most sentences use appropriate verb
tense
Most sentences have correct subject and
verb agreement
Most grade-level words are spelled
correctly
Writing has few or none run-on sentences
or sentence fragments
Some capitalization is correct
Some sentences have correct punctuation

Some sentences have correct subject and

verb agreement
Some grade-level-appropriate words spelled
correctly
Writing may have some run-on sentences or
sentence fragments
Indention of paragraphs most of the time

Many errors in capitalization

Punctuation is missing or incorrect
Many errors in subject and verb agreement
Many errors in the spelling
Writing has many run-on sentences or
fragments
Indention of
paragraphs is non-existent