Rubric for Descriptive Writing (25 marks)

Excellent Very Good Satisfactory Needs Improvement

Organisation *well-focused on the topic
*logical organization
*excellent transitions
*easy to follow
*“paints a picture” for the
reader
*well-focused on the topic
*clear ideas are well-
supported with interesting
and vivid details
*generally focused on the
topic
*some lapses in
organization
*some transitions
*usually easy to follow
*creates some clear
images for the reader
*focused on the topic
*ideas are well-supported
with details
*somewhat focused on *not focused on the
the topic topic
*poor organization *no clear organization
*few transitions *no transitions
*difficult to follow *difficult to impossible
*sometimes strays from to follow
the topic *poorly focused on the
*ideas are not well- topic
developed *ideas are unclear
*more details are *few details are given
needed.

5 4 2-3 0-1
Word Choice *precise, vivid and *fairly precise, interesting *vague, mundane word *very limited word
interesting word choices and somewhat varied choices choices
*wide variety of word word choices *wording is sometimes *wording is bland and
choices *wording could be more repetitive not descriptive
specific *more descriptive words
are needed

5 4 2-3 0-1
Figurative Writer effectively uses Writer uses one example Writer may try to use Writer does not include
Language simile, metaphor, and of simile, metaphor, or simile, metaphor, and simile, metaphor, or
personification to describe personification to personification but does personification in essay.
the subject. describe the subject. so incorrectly.
Essay includes details that Includes details that Includes no details that
appeal to at least three of appeal to fewer than Includes details that appeal to one of the five
the five senses (taste, three of the five senses. appeal to only one of the senses.
touch, sound, sight, smell). five senses.

5 4 2-3 0-1
Conventions *proper grammar, usage *few errors of grammar *errors in grammar, *frequent errors in
*correct spelling and usage usage and spelling grammar, usage,
*correct punctuation *mostly correct spelling, sometimes make spelling, capitalisation
*correct capitalisation punctuation understanding difficult and punctuation
*uses complete sentences and capitalization *some errors in make understanding
*varying sentence structure *uses complete punctuation and difficult or impossible
and lengths sentences capitalization *frequent use of
*generally simple *occasional sentence sentence fragments or
sentence structures fragment or run-on run-on sentences
sentences *sentences are difficult
*simple sentence to understand
structure is used
repeatedly

5 4 2-3 0-1
Voice *voice is fitting for the topic *voice is fairly clear and *voice rarely comes *voice is weak or
and engaging seems to fit the topic through inappropriate
*well-suited for audience *suited for audience and *not always suited for *no sense of audience
and purpose purpose audience and purpose and purpose

5 4 2-3 0-1