This document provides a rubric for evaluating writing with categories including ideas, organization, word choice, sentence structure, mechanics, and editing. It rates writing from 1-4 with 4 being excellent/exemplary and having clear ideas, organization, word variety, varied sentences, few errors, and many revisions. A score of 3 represents good/proficient writing that mostly focuses on the topic with some errors and some revisions. A score of 2 needs improvement with some ideas but few details, attempts at organization, little word variety or description, incomplete sentences, and few revisions. A score of 1 is unsatisfactory with no clear topic or organization, repetitive words, no complete sentences, many errors, and no revisions.

1. Workshop 5, Swistak Write in the Middle
Ideas Organization Word Choice Sent. Structure Mechanics Editing*
4
Excellent/
Exemplary
Focuses on
topic, presents
thoughtful ideas
and develops
them with details
Well organized
with a strong
beginning,
middle, and end
Uses beautiful
language often;
wide variety of
words used;
word choices
make ideas
more clear
Uses complete
sentences of
varying lengths;
sentences begin
differently
Very few or no
grammar,
spelling
punctuation, or
capitalization
errors
Many changes
made
3
Good/
Proficient
Mostly focuses
on topic and
develops it
clearly and fairly
well with
supporting
details
Organized with a
beginning,
middle, and end
Uses beautiful
language at
times; varies
word choice
Most sentences
are complete
and simple,
attempts are
made at varying
sentence length
Relatively few
grammar,
spelling,
punctuation, or
capitalization
errors
Some changes
made
2
Needs
Improvement/
Below
Proficient
Strays from
topic, presents
some important
ideas with few
supporting
details
Attempts to
organize with a
beginning,
middle, and end
Attempts to use
beautiful
language; little
variety or
describing words
Some sentences
are not
complete, little
variety
Some grammar,
spelling
punctuation, or
capitalization
errors
Few changes
made
1
Unsatisfactory/
Considerably
Below Proficient
Lacks clear topic
and details
Does not have a
beginning,
middle, or end
Repeats same
words often, little
attempt at using
describing words
No complete
sentences
Many grammar,
spelling,
punctuation, or
capitalization
errors
No changes
made to first
draft
*Editor’s Note: In this rubric, “Editing” is synonymous with “Revision.”
Writing Rubric