Name ________________________________________
Formatting: 2-3 pages, double spaced? _____/5
Proper MLA heading? _____/4
Rubric for Descriptive Writing
4- Excellent
Ideas *“paints a picture” for the
reader
*well-focused on the topic
*clear ideas are well-
supported with
interesting and vivid
details
Organization *well-focused on the topic
*logical organization
*excellent transitions
*easy to follow
Introduction Introductory paragraph
clearly states subject of
essay and captures
reader's attention.
Word Choice *precise, vivid and
interesting word choices
*wide variety of word
choices
Sensory Essay includes details that
Detail appeal to at least three of
the five senses (taste,
touch, sound, sight,
smell).
Figurative Writer effectively uses
Language simile, metaphor, and
personification to
describe the subject.
Sentence *uses complete sentences
Fluency *varying sentence
structure and lengths
Conventions *proper grammar, usage
*correct spelling
*correct punctuation
*correct capitalization
Voice *voice is fitting for the
topic and engaging
*well-suited for audience
Formatting: Margins, font, etc. _____/3
Creative title? _____/2
Late Papers - 10% deduction per day
3- Very Good 2-Satisfactory 1-Needs
Improvement
*creates some clear *sometimes strays from *poorly focused on the
images for the reader the topic topic
*focused on the topic *ideas are not well- *ideas are unclear
*ideas are well- developed *few details are given
supported with details *more details are needed
*generally focused on *somewhat focused on *not focused on the
the topic the topic topic
*some lapses in *poor organization *no clear organization
organization *few transitions *no transitions
*some transitions *difficult to follow *difficult to impossible
*usually easy to follow to follow
Introductory paragraph Introductory paragraph No attempt is made to
states subject of essay attempts to state subject state the subject of the
but is not particularly of essay but does not essay in an introductory
inviting to the reader. capture reader's paragraph.
attention.
*fairly precise, *vague, mundane word *very limited word
interesting and choices choices
somewhat varied word *wording is sometimes *wording is bland and
choices repetitive not descriptive
*wording could be more *more descriptive words
specific are needed
Includes details that Includes details that Includes no details that
appeal to fewer than appeal to only one of the appeal to one of the five
three of the five senses. five senses. senses.
Writer uses one example Writer may try to use Writer does not include
of simile, metaphor, or simile, metaphor, and simile, metaphor, or
personification to personification but does personification in essay.
describe the subject. so incorrectly.
*uses complete *occasional sentence *frequent use of
sentences fragment or run-on sentence fragments or
*generally simple sentences run-on sentences
sentence structures *simple sentence *sentences are difficult
structure is used to understand
repeatedly
*few errors of grammar *errors in grammar, *frequent errors in
and usage usage and spelling grammar, usage,
*mostly correct spelling, sometimes make spelling, capitalization
punctuation understanding difficult and punctuation
and capitalization *some errors in make understanding
punctuation and difficult or impossible
capitalization
*voice is fairly clear and *voice rarely comes *voice is weak or
seems to fit the topic through inappropriate
*suited for audience and *not always suited for *no sense of audience
and purpose purpose audience and purpose and purpose