1. Gwinnett County Literacy
Writing Rubric
Gwinnett County Literacy

2. Focus and Development Level 5
(Do they answer the question and how well do they do it?)
· Entire question is answered
· Main points stand out
· In-depth explanation
· Supporting details are relevant and detailed
· WOW

3. Focus and Development Level 4
· Entire question is answered.
· Topic is completely explained, but lacks detail
· Details support, but may not all be relevant
· WELL DONE

4. Focus and Development Level 3
· MOST of the topic has been addressed
· Includes details or explanations but may not all be relevant
· Main points are clear, but don’t stand out.
· AVERAGE

5. Focus and Development Level 2
· Topic is focused, but not developed or vice versa
· SOME of the topic has been addressed
· Details are uneven and lack depth
· OK, but not passing

6. Focus and Development Level 1
· Little or no focus or development.
· Few or no details to support.
· Not enough written
· NEEDS SERIOUS WORK

7. Organization Level 5 · Uses invisible transitions
· Flawless introduction and conclusion.
· Compelling thesis statement and topic sentences
· WOW

8. Organization Level 4 · Uses good transitions
· Great intro & conclusion.
· All of the points outlined are addressed.
· WELL DONE

9. Organization Level 3 · Typical ; intro, conclusion, body paragraphs.
· Typical transitions (first, in conclusion, lastly)
· AVERAGE

10. Organization Level 2 · Few or no transitions.
· Intro or conclusion may be missing or sparse.
· ELEMENTARY transitions (first, second, third)
· Intro & Conclusion are too similar
· NOT PASSING

11. · No real intro or conclusion · Intro & Conclusion are the same
Organization Level 1
· No real transitions
· No real intro or conclusion
· Intro & Conclusion are the same
· NEEDS SERIOUS WORK

12. · Uses big kids sentences and vocabulary
Fluency Level 5
· Uses big kids sentences and vocabulary
· The audience is clear.
· Uses a combination of complex, compound, and simple sentences (fewer simple)
· WOW

13. ·Uses mostly big kid sentences and a few interesting vocabulary words
Fluency Level 4
·Uses mostly big kid sentences and a few interesting vocabulary words
· Audience is clear
· Uses a combination of complex, compound and simple sentences (mostly compound)
· WELL DONE

14. · · Uses typical vocabulary. · Audience is mostly clear
Fluency Level 3
·  · Uses typical vocabulary.
· Audience is mostly clear
· Uses a combination of sentences, but relies heavily on SIMPLE sentences.
· AVERAGE

15. Fluency Level 2
· Language is elementary and wrong words are used in several places.
· Audience is unclear
· MOST of the sentences are simple
· The writer repeats words or phrases a few times.
· NOT PASSING

16. Fluency Level 1
·Choice of words is awkward and/or the writer repeats words or phrases.
· Sentences are ALL simple
· Words and sentences are not clear and make little sense.
· NEEDS SERIOUS WORK

17. Conventions Level 5
· Uses advanced punctuation correctly (Colon, semi-colon, hyphen)
· One or two grammar errors
· No editing is needed
· WOW

18. Conventions Level 4
· Uses advanced punctuation, but may not always be correct.
· Has a few grammar errors, but they don’t interfere w/ the reading.
· May need a little editing.
· WELL DONE

19. Conventions Level 3 · No advanced punctuation
· A few grammar errors, but the main point is obvious.
· Editing is definitely needed
· AVERAGE

20. Conventions Level 2 · Errors make the paper difficult to read
· Meaning is unclear because of the errors.
· No advanced punctuation
· EDITING EXTREMELY NECESSARY.
· NOT PASSING

21. Conventions Level 1 · Errors make the paper difficult to read
· Meaning is unclear because of the errors.
· No advanced punctuation
· Essay is barely able to be read .. Almost uncomprehensible
· NOT PASSING