Rubric for Descriptive Writing
4- Excellent 3- Very Good 2-Satisfactory 1-Needs
Improvement
Ideas *“paints a picture” for the *creates some clear *sometimes strays from *poorly focused on the
reader images for the reader the topic topic
*well-focused on the topic *focused on the topic *ideas are not well- *ideas are unclear
*clear ideas are well- *ideas are well- developed *few details are given
supported with interesting supported with details *more details are needed
and vivid details
Organization *well-focused on the topic *generally focused on *somewhat focused on *not focused on the
*logical organization the topic the topic topic
*excellent transitions *some lapses in *poor organization *no clear organization
*easy to follow organization *few transitions *no transitions
*some transitions *difficult to follow *difficult to impossible
*usually easy to follow to follow
Introduction Introductory paragraph Introductory paragraph Introductory paragraph No attempt is made to
clearly states subject of states subject of essay attempts to state subject state the subject of the
essay and captures but is not particularly of essay but does not essay in an introductory
reader's attention. inviting to the reader. capture reader's attention. paragraph.
Word Choice *precise, vivid and *fairly precise, *vague, mundane word *very limited word
interesting word choices interesting and choices choices
*wide variety of word somewhat varied word *wording is sometimes *wording is bland and
choices choices repetitive not descriptive
*wording could be more *more descriptive words
specific are needed
Sensory Essay includes details that Includes details that Includes details that Includes no details that
Detail appeal to at least three of appeal to fewer than appeal to only one of the appeal to one of the five
the five senses (taste, three of the five senses. five senses. senses.
touch, sound, sight, smell).
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.
Sentence *uses complete sentences *uses complete *occasional sentence *frequent use of
Fluency *varying sentence sentences fragment or run-on sentence fragments or
structure and lengths *generally simple sentences run-on sentences
sentence structures *simple sentence *sentences are difficult
structure is used to understand
repeatedly
Conventions *proper grammar, usage *few errors of grammar *errors in grammar, usage *frequent errors in
*correct spelling and usage and spelling sometimes grammar, usage,
*correct punctuation *mostly correct spelling, make understanding spelling, capitalization
*correct capitalization punctuation difficult and punctuation
and capitalization *some errors in make understanding
punctuation and difficult or impossible
capitalization
Voice *voice is fitting for the *voice is fairly clear and *voice rarely comes *voice is weak or
topic 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
