Stage 5 Cambridge Writing Rubrics
Name: _____________________________________ Year _______________________________ Date: _____________________________________
Score Creation of texts (Wc) Vocabulary and language (Wv) Structure of texts (Ws) Grammar and punctuation (Wg) Word structure (Ww) (Spelling)
Max: 5 marks Max: 3 marks Max: 7 marks Max: 7 marks Max: 3 marks
6-7 Content is organised so that ideas are Grammar:
developed cohesively throughout most ● Grammar is almost always
of a piece of sustained writing. accurate throughout the text
including simple, compound and
Paragraphs and sections are organised complex sentences.
to achieve an appropriate effect for the ● Multi-clause sentences combine
genre. simple sentences and/or re-order
clauses.
● Pronouns and possessive
pronouns; modal verbs; adjectives
and adverbs
(comparative/superlative) are all
used correctly.
Punctuation:
● Punctuation is used accurately to
demarcate sentences and for direct
speech.
● Use of apostrophes is accurate.
● Commas are always used in lists
and often to mark clauses in
complex sentences.
4-5 Narrative has ideas and content with Paragraphs and sections are used Grammar:
detail developed using well-chosen consistently to organise ideas. ● Uses an increasing range of
choices of vocabulary for the genre. sentence types accurately,
Chronological or logical links between including good attempts at complex
Main features of the genre are clear. paragraphs help the development of structures.
ideas.
Viewpoint is consistent and may Use of expanded phrases to develop
include a character’s opinions of Cohesion between paragraphs is ideas. For example:
events/settings/other characters. achieved using devices such as ● Noun, adverbial, adjectival and
connectives to establish links. verb phrases.
Writing may develop a given narrative ● A range of connectives.
with new scenes/characters. ● Past, present and future verb forms
are accurate.
Playscripts include production
notes/stage directions. Punctuation:
● Punctuation is used consistently
and accurately to demarcate
sentences.
● Direct speech punctuation includes
other punctuation alongside speech
marks. (Errors may occur where
structures are ambitious.)
● Apostrophes correct for possession
(sing./plural).
● Commas are always used in lists
and often to clarify meaning in
sentences.
Score Creation of texts (Wc) Vocabulary and language (Wv) Structure of texts (Ws) Grammar and punctuation (Wg) Word structure (Ww) (Spelling)
Max: 5 marks Max: 3 marks Max: 7 marks Max: 7 marks Max: 3 marks
3 A relevant response with well-chosen Words and phrases chosen to convey 2 - 3 marks 2 - 3 marks Correct spelling of words with less
ideas and content. Some ideas and mood and feeling so that the writing common letter strings that are
material are developed in detail. sustains the reader’s interest. Structure is clear using paragraphs/ Generally correct grammar: pronounced differently. E.g., pour, hour,
sections with good attempts to organise ● subject/verb agreement, correct piece, pie.
Descriptions of characters include Specialised vocabulary is used that is the content. past and present tense of regular.
details that help to develop the story. suitable for the genre. ● Common irregular verbs. Some successful attempts to spell
Ideas set out in a logical sequence, ● A mix of simple and compound exceptions to known spelling rules.
Descriptions of settings and characters Figurative language is developed to making relationships between them sentences where compound
show detail using enhanced vocabulary include a wide range of devices such clear. sentences use simple connectives Correctly spell words with silent vowels
to engage the reader. as alliteration and similes. to join clauses. and syllables in a range of polysyllabic
Links between paragraphs/sections to words, e.g., library, interest.
Playscripts are based upon original Good attempts to use synonyms and help the development of a narrative are Punctuation:
ideas. adjectives/adverbs for shades of evident but may not be consistent. ● Apostrophes of omission are Spell common homonyms correctly,
meaning. correct. e.g., wave (gesture), wave (sea).
Purpose of writing is clear and Logical sequence of events and ideas ● Full stops, question marks and
appropriate to the given genre where develop the plot of a story. exclamation marks are used Spell words with a wide range of
features are clearly evident. correctly. prefixes and suffixes, including
opposites (un-, im-) correctly.
A straightforward viewpoint which is Note: if punctuation is totally lacking
generally consistent and appropriate for and other descriptors met, then give the Spell words with double consonants
the purpose and the audience. lower mark here. correctly.
2 A relevant response that elaborates on Accurate use of vocabulary includes a Spelling of words with common letter
basic information with some variety of appropriate choices to convey strings, but different pronunciations is
development of essential detail. meaning that is consistent and effective correct, e.g., through, tough.
for the genre.
Writing for a given purpose is clear with Spelling of a range of common prefixes
main features of the genre clearly Choice of words and phrases and suffixes is correct.
evident. strengthen the impact of writing.
Spelling of common homophones is
Use of content and language in writing Figurative language is simple but correct within their grammatical
shows awareness of audience. effective within a narrative. purpose, e.g., they’re, their, there.
Some variation in sentence openings Some correct spelling of long and short
beyond repetition of nouns and vowel phonemes.
pronouns.
Spelling of plurals is usually correct,
e.g. -s, -es, -y/ies, and -f/ves.
1 Some basic material included that is Vocabulary is simple and relevant. Paragraphs/sections are generally used Grammar: Spelling of common inflections is
relevant to the genre. to help organise and develop a story. ● Some simple sentence structures usually accurate, e.g. -ing, -ed.
are used successfully.
Some elements of the genre can be All simple high frequency words are
seen. (A maximum of 1 mark can be Punctuation: spelt correctly, e.g. that, she, put.
awarded if not the given genre.) ● Some correct use of punctuation,
such as full stops and capital Spelling of high frequency words is
letters. generally correct, e.g., their/there,
when, were, what, some etc.
Note: do not discriminate if learners
write good English but there are There may be some successful
punctuation errors. If ambitious attempts to phonetically spell
structures are used, begin marking at polysyllabic and compound words.
2-3 marks, provided there is variation in
sentence opening.
0 No creditable response No creditable response No creditable response No creditable response No creditable response
