5-Point Beginning Writer's Rubric

1. EXPERIMENTING 2. EMERGING 3. DEVELOPING 4. CAPABLE 5. EXPERIENCED

Ideas Ideas Ideas Ideas Ideas

Big Idea is unclear; print Big Idea is conveyed in Big Idea is stated in Big Idea is clear, but Big Idea is clear; topic
sense is just beginning a general way through text general—a simple is narrow, fresh, and
text, labels, symbols story or explanation original

A Details are missing, or if Few details are present Details are relevant to topic Details are telling, and Details are accurate,
present, are unclear and support Big Idea sometimes specific to relevant, high-quality, and
Big Idea support or enrich Big Idea

B Experience with topic is Some experience with Experience with topic is Experience with topic is Experience with topic is
unclear topic is demonstrated obvious supported by text demonstrated clearly

C Pictures, if present, are Pictures, if present, Pictures, if present, Pictures, if present, add Pictures, if present, clarify,
unclear connect to a few words support topic descriptive details to topic enrich, and enhance topic

Key question: Does the writer stay focused and share original and fresh information or perspective about the topic?

Organization Organization Organization Organization Organization

Beginning/ending is A bare beginning is Beginning and middle Beginning, middle, and Beginning attracts,
absent present are present, but no predictable ending are middle works, ending
ending present is present

A Transitions are not present Transitions are starting to Transitions rely on Transitions work in Transitions are somewhat
emerge connective “and” predictable fashion varied

B Sequencing is not present Sequencing is limited or Sequencing is adequate Sequencing is sound Sequencing is purposeful
confusing from start to finish

C Pacing is not evident Pacing is predictable, Pacing is adequate Pacing moves reader Pacing is purposeful
monotonous through piece

D Title (if required) is missing Title (if required) is Simple title (if required) Title (if required) fits Title (if required) is
attempted works content engaging

E Structure is random Structure is unclear or only Structure is present and Structure matches Structure clarifies topic
starting to emerge works purpose

Key question: Does the organizational structure enhance the ideas and make the piece easier to understand?

Voice Voice Voice Voice Voice

Individual expression is Individual expression is Individual expression is Individual expression Individual expression
not present emerging present is supported by text reflects unique tone

A Writing for audience is not Writing starts to address Writing addresses Writing connects to Writing clearly engages
evident audience audience in a general way audience audience

B Voice is not discernible Voice is emerging in Voice is present Voice supports writer’s Voice is engaging and
pictures and/or text purpose enthusiastic for purpose

C Risk-taking is not evident Risk-taking is limited to Risk-taking reveals Risk-taking uncovers Risk-taking reveals person
“safe” choices moments of sparkle individual perspective behind words

Key question: Would you keep reading this piece if it were longer?

© 2010, Education Northwest

 5-Point Beginning Writer's Rubric

1. EXPERIMENTING 2. EMERGING 3. DEVELOPING 4. CAPABLE 5. EXPERIENCED

Word Choice Word Choice Word Choice Word Choice Word Choice

No words are present— Words are difficult General or ordinary Favorite words are Specific, accurate
only letters strung to decode; some are words convey message used correctly words are used well
together or scribbles recognizable

A Word patterns are imitated Environmental words are New words are attempted New and different words Precise, fresh, original
used correctly but don’t always fit are used with some words linger in reader’s
success mind

B Vocabulary relies upon Vocabulary includes Vocabulary is limited to Vocabulary is expanding Vocabulary is natural,
environmental print phrases, clichés safe, known words effective, and targets
audience

C No awareness of parts of Nouns emerge as main Basic verbs and nouns Modifiers add to mix of Variety of parts of speech
speech exists word choice dominate piece words adds depth

D Words do not convey Words begin to convey Words are mundane, Words clarify topic and Words enhance, enrich,
meaning of piece single idea or topic normal, generic for topic convey meaning and/or showcase meaning

E Words do not create mental Words begin to create Words are grouped in ways Phrases, word groups Strong attempts at
imagery mental imagery that create general mental create specific mental figurative language create
imagery imagery clear mental imagery

Key question: Do the words and phrases create vivid pictures and linger in your mind?

Sentence Fluency Sentence Fluency Sentence Fluency Sentence Fluency Sentence Fluency
Letters and words are Words are strung Simple sentences Simple and compound Consistently varied
scribbled across page together into phrases are used to convey sentences strengthen sentence construction
meaning piece enhances piece

A Sentences are not used, Sentence parts are present, Most simple sentence Sentence structure varies; Sentences vary in
but instead random words but not complete parts are present; variety in variety in beginnings and structure, as well as
or marks beginnings or length exists length exists beginnings and length

B Connective words do not Connective words may Connective words, mostly Connective words are Connective words work
exist appear in sentence parts “and,” serve as links more varied smoothly and enrich
between phrases fluency

C Rhythm is not evident Rhythm is choppy and Rhythm is more Rhythm is more fluid than Rhythm is fluid and
repetitive mechanical than fluid mechanical and is easy to pleasant to read aloud
read aloud

Key question: Can you feel the words and phrases flow together as you read it aloud?

© 2010, Education Northwest

 5-Point Beginning Writer's Rubric

1. EXPERIMENTING 2. EMERGING 3. DEVELOPING 4. CAPABLE 5. EXPERIENCED

Conventions Conventions Conventions Conventions Conventions

Nearly every convention Some conventions are Half of conventions are More conventions are Conventions require
requires editing correct, most are not correct and half need correct than not little editing to be
editing published

A Spelling is not evident, only Semiphonetic spelling is Phonetic spelling is used; Spelling is usually High-frequency words are
strings of letters attempted high-frequency words are accurate for grade-level spelled correctly; spelling
still spotty words is very close on others

B No sense of punctuation Random punctuation exists End punctuation is usually End punctuation is Punctuation is usually
exists correct; experiments with correct; some other correct and/or sometimes
other punctuation punctuation is correct even creative

C Print sense is still emerging Upper and lowercase Capitals are inconsistent Capitals are more Capitals are consistently
letters are randomly used but begin most sentences consistent and begin accurate for sentence
and some proper nouns sentences and most beginnings, proper nouns,
proper nouns and titles

D No awareness of grammar Part of a grammatical A grammatical construction Subject/verb agreement, Some control is shown
and/or usage exists construction is present is present proper tense are present over basic grade-level
but the rest is still spotty grammar

Key question: How much editing would have to be done to be ready to share with an outside source?
(Expectations should be based on grade level and include only skills that have been taught.)

Presentation Presentation Presentation Presentation Presentation

No formatting clues Formatting of text and Formatting of text and Formatting of text and Formatting of text
are present; placement pictures is starting to pictures is generally pictures is clear and and pictures assists
of text and pictures is come together correct thoughtful comprehension
totally random

A Only scribbles are present Handwriting shows Handwriting includes few Handwriting reveals Handwriting is neat and
letters beginning to take discrepancies in letter proper manuscript, spaced easy to read; proper
shape, though random in shape; shapes are easily and written appropriately manuscript or cursive is
placement identifiable used

B Letters and/or words are Spacing between letters Spacing of words is mostly Words, sentences, and White space is used well
strung together with no and words is attempted correct paragraphs have proper within piece and to frame
spacing spacing text

C If pictures are present, they Pictures are placed Pictures fit with text Pictures add detail, Pictures are “balanced”
are randomly placed appropriately support piece, and are with text and match content
appropriate

D No identifiable markers Markers are present but Some markers match Markers clarify, organize, Markers enrich, enhance,
(title, heading, bullets, page not connected to text some text and define text and/or help showcase text
numbers) exist

E No charts, tables, graphs Charts, tables, graphs are Charts, tables, graphs Charts, tables, graphs Charts, tables, graphs
are evident attempted but randomly match text and are placed match and clarify text; are match, clarify, and enrich
placed properly placed together properly text and are placed
properly

Key question: Is the finished piece easy to read, polished in presentation, and pleasing to the eye?

© 2010, Education Northwest