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Descriptive Writing Writing that paints vivid pictures of people, places, events, and things by using sensory details. Rubric Code: E87299 By Sandy_A Ready to use Public Rubric Subject: English Type: Assessment Grade Levels: 6-8

Descriptive Writing Writing that paints vivid pictures of people, places, events, and things by using sensory details.
	Advanced 4 pts	Proficient 3 pts	Fair 2 pts	Poor 1 pts
Ideas and Content Clarity of Purpose and Topic	Advanced There is one clear, well-focused topic. Main idea stands out and is supported by detailed information. Well-written topic sentences are used in each 5-7 sentence paragraph.	Proficient Main idea is clear but the supporting information is general. Topic sentences are used in each paragraph.	Fair Main idea is somewhat clear but there is a need for more supporting information. Topic sentences are used in most paragraphs.	Poor The main idea is not clear. There is a seemingly random collection of information. Topic sentences appear in few or none of the paragraphs.
Organization Organization and Development of Main Ideas	Advanced The introduction is inviting, states the main topic, previews the structure of the paper, and includes a well-written, clever lead that is related to the essay’s topic which attracts the reader’s attention. The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader with a feeling that he/she understands the writer’s point of view.	Proficient The introduction clearly states the main topic and previews the structure of the paper, but is not particularly inviting to the reader. A well-written lead is used to attract the reader’s attention. The conclusion is recognizable and ties up almost all the loose ends.	Fair The introduction states the main topic, but does not adequately preview the structure of the paper nor is it particularly inviting to the reader. A lead is used but is not particularly attractive to the reader or does not relate to the topic. The conclusion is recognizable, but does not tie up several loose ends.	Poor There is no clear introduction of the main topic or structure of the paper. No lead is used. There is no clear conclusion, the paper just ends.
Audience Awareness/Voice Appropriate for Intended Audience	Advanced The writer seems to be writing from knowledge or experience. The author has taken the ideas and made them "his/her own."	Proficient The writer seems to be drawing on knowledge or experience, but there is some lack of ownership of the topic.	Fair The writer relates some of his own knowledge or experience, but it adds nothing to the discussion of the topic.	Poor The writer has not tried to transform the information in a personal way.
Language Sentence Structure & Vocabulary	Advanced All sentences are well-constructed without using repetitive ideas throughout. Several relevant, telling, quality details give the reader important information that allow the reader to picture, smell, feel, hear or imagine tasting things described.	Proficient Most sentences are well- constructed with complete thoughts. Details and transition words and phrases are placed in a logical order, but the way in which they are presented makes the writing less interesting.	Fair Most sentences are well-constructed but some are run-ons or are not descriptive. Some details and transition words and phrases are not in a logical or expected order, and this distracts the reader.	Poor Sentences do not have structure and are incomplete or rambling. Many details are not in a logical or expected order. There is little sense that the writing is organized. The transitions between ideas are unclear or non-existent.
Grammar, Usage, Mechanics Spelling, Grammar, & Punctuation	Advanced Writer makes no errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling.	Proficient Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling.	Fair Writer makes 3-4 errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling.	Poor Writer makes more than 4 errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling.
Form/Neatness	Advanced Essay is appropriate length and is neatly handwritten in blue or black ink with few or no cross-outs or excessive use of white-out, or is neatly typed in black ink in Times New Roman Font size 12.	Proficient Essay is neatly handwritten in blue or black ink, or is neatly typed in black ink in Times New Roman Font size 12.	Fair Essay is not particularly neatly handwritten in blue or black ink, or is neatly typed in black ink in a non-requested font or font size.	Poor Essay is not neatly handwritten in blue or black ink, or is not neatly typed, with a number of cross-outs, messy use of white-out, or is written/typed in ink that is hard to read.

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English

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