iRubric: Personal Essay Rubric

The writer focuses on one strong main point, but supports that point with specific, personal details. The pattern is suited to the topic, purpose, and audience. The intro engages the reader's attention and the conclusion is strong.

The writer seldom wanders from the main points. The pattern fits the topic, purpose, and audience. The intro is appealing, and the conclusion works well.

The writer may meander briefly, but not enough to distract/ confuse the reader. The pattern works most of the time. The intro and conclusion are fairly standard but functional.

The writer wanders from the main point, confusing the reader. The pattern is not well suited to this topic, purpose, or audience. The intro and conclusion are present; one or both need work.

Lack of order confuses the reader. The pattern is very distracting- or there is no pattern. The intro and conclusion are missing or need work.

The text is a disjointed collection of random thoughts. There is no identifiable structure or pattern. There is no real intro or conclusion.

This voice is as individual. The reader will want to read this aloud to someone. The writing is passionate and compelling. The voice is perfect for the purpose and audience.

This voice is individual-probably recognizable if the reader knows the writer. The reader would probably share this piece aloud. The writing shows strong feelings and is appealing to read. It has a lot of energy. The voice is suitable for the audience and purpose.

This voice is distinctive, if not unique. The reader might share moments of this piece aloud. Passion, energy, or strong feelings are evident in some places. The voice is acceptable for the audience and purpose, but it could use refining.

This is a functional, sincere voice, though not espcially distinctive. The piece does not seem ready to share aloud. Moments of passion, energy, or strong feelings are rare. The voice may not seem quite right for the purpose or audience.

The voice is not at all distinctive. It does not stand out. The piece is definitely not ready to share aloud. The writer sounds bored. The voice does not seems appropriate for the pupose or audience.

This voice is difficult to find, identify, or describe. Lack of voice means that the reader probably will not share this by reading aloud. No energy or excitement comes through. The voice is missing.

The essay is virtually error-free. The writer uses conventions skillfully to clarify meaning. The writer shows control over a wide range of conventions for 5th grade. This piece is ready to publish.

The essay contains a few minor errors. The writer shows control over many conventions appropriate for 5th grade. This piece is ready to publish with minor changes.

Several minor errors; these errors do not impair meaning. The writer uses conventions with enough skill to keep the text readable. The writer shows control over many conventions appropriate for 5th grade. Some editing is needed before publishing.

Noticeable, distracting errors begin to make the text hard to follow or understand. Errors are sufficiently serious to impair readability in spots. The writer knows some conventions, but is not yet in control of them. Thorough, careful editing is needed before publishing.

Many serious errors make this essay hard to follow. Serious errors consistently impair readability. This writer appears to know a few conventions, but is not in control of them. Line-by-line editing is required before publication.

Serious, frequent errors make this text very difficult to read or understand. The reader must search to find conventions that are handled correctly. This writer does not appear in control of many conventions appropriate for 5th grade. Careful, word-by-word editing is required before publishing.