Author: EXPOSITORY PARAGRAPH RUBRIC

CATEGORY EXCEEDS MEETS APPROACHES FALLS BELOW

Topic Sentence Topic sentence is Topic sentence is Topic sentence is Student has attempted
indented, focused, and indented, clear, and indented and clearly on to write a topic
states the topic very focused the topic. sentence.
well or in a creative
manner.

Focus on Topic There is one clear, Main idea is clear but Main idea is somewhat The main idea is not
(Ideas) well-focused topic. the supporting clear but there is a need clear. There is a
Main idea stands out information is general. for more supporting seemingly random
and is supported by information. collection of
detailed information, information.
including thorough
explanation and
examples.
Transitions A variety of thoughtful Transitions clearly Some transitions work The transitions between
(Organization) transitions are used. show how ideas are well; but connections ideas are unclear or
They clearly show how connected, but there is between other ideas are nonexistent.
ideas are connected. little variety. fuzzy.

Concluding Sentence The concluding The conclusion is The conclusion is There is no clear
(Organization) sentence n is strong recognizable and ties recognizable, but does conclusion, the paper
and leaves the reader up almost all the loose not tie up several loose just ends.
with a feeling that they ends. ends.
understand what the
writer is "getting at."

Capitalization & Writer makes no errors Writer makes 1 or 2 Writer makes a few Writer makes several
Punctuation in capitalization or errors in capitalization errors in capitalization errors in capitalization
(Conventions) punctuation, so the or punctuation, but the and/or punctuation that and/or punctuation that
paper is exceptionally paper is still easy to catch the reader's catch the reader's
easy to read. read. attention and interrupt attention and greatly
the flow. interrupt the flow.

Sentence Structure All sentences are well- Most sentences are Most sentences are Sentences lack
(Sentence Fluency) constructed with varied well-constructed with well-constructed but structure and appear
structure. varied structure. have a similar structure. incomplete or rambling.

Word Choice Writer uses vivid words Writer uses vivid words Writer uses words that Writer uses a limited
and phrases that linger and phrases that linger communicate clearly, vocabulary that does
or draw pictures in the or draw pictures in the but the writing lacks not communicate
reader's mind, and the reader's mind, but variety, punch or flair. strongly or capture the
choice and placement occasionally the words reader's interest.
of the words seems are used inaccurately Jargon or cliches may
accurate, natural and or seem overdone. be present and detract
not forced. from the meaning.
Adding Personality The writer seems to be The writer seems to be The writer relates some The writer has not tried
(Voice) writing from knowledge drawing on knowledge of his own knowledge or to transform the
or experience. The or experience, but there experience, but it adds information in a
author has taken the is some lack of nothing to the personal way. The
ideas and made them ownership of the topic. discussion of the topic. ideas and the way they
"his own." are expressed seem to
belong to someone
else.