Exceeds Standards Meets Standards
Ideas, Content, 27-30 points
& Criteria – • Writer knows topic really well
• Early Life, Significant Events,
30 points Contributions, Char. Traits &
Conclusion all included.
• Includes all other listed criteria
• Many interesting details
Organization – 8-10 points
10 points • Carefully organized with varied
transitions
• Lead grabs reader's attention
• Conclusion works well
• Details & paragraphs are in right
order
Mechanics – 8-10 points
10 points • Has NO errors in capitalization,
punctuation, spelling & grammar
• Writing is easy to read
Writer uses a variety of strong /
descriptive words
• Sentences flow, making the writing
enjoyable to read
Name: _____________________________
Approaching Standards
23-26 points
• Early Life, Significant Events,
Contributions, Char. Traits &
Conclusion all included.
•Writer knows the topic
• Includes most listed criteria
•Most details fit & are interesting
6-7 points
• Organized with transitions
• Lead and conclusion used
• Details & paragraphs are in
right order
6-7 points
• Has FEW (1 - 2) errors in
capitalization, punctuation,
spelling & grammar
• Writing is easy to read
•Writing has some strong /
descriptive words
• Sentences fit together well
Biography Rubric
Not Meeting Standards
17-22 points
• Missing ONE of the following: Early
Life, Significant Events, Contributions,
Char. Traits & Conclusion
•Writer doesn’t know enough about the
topic
• Includes some of the listed criteria
•Needs more details
4-5 points
• Has some transitions
• Missing lead or conclusion
• Most parts of paper fit together.
• Most details & paragraphs are in right
order
4-5 points
• Has SOME (3 – 5) errors in
capitalization, punctuation, spelling &
grammar
• Sounds mostly correct when read aloud
• Writing uses general, everyday
descriptive words
• Sentences are all similar lengths / types
• Reader is confused & may have to re-
read a section for meaning
0-16 points
• Missing Two or more of the following:
Early Life, Significant Events,
Contributions, Char. Traits &
Conclusion or other criteria
• Writer doesn’t know enough about the
topic
• Needs more details
0-3 points
• Few transitions used
• Lead / conclusion missing
• Too many details are out of order
0-3 points
• Too many errors in capitalization (6 or
more), punctuation, spelling & grammar
• Writing is difficult to read due to
errors
• Editing needed
• Writing uses dull, ordinary words
Reader is very confused & often has to
re-read for meaning
Total: ______