Writing Rubrics

Samples of Basic, Expository, and Narrative Rubrics

3 male students, writing in exercise books. — Ulrike Schmitt-Hartmann / Getty Images

Table of Contents

Rubric Basics
How to Score A Rubric
Basic Writing Rubric
Narrative Writing Rubric
Expository Writing Rubric

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Updated on February 19, 2020

An easy way to evaluate student writing is to create a rubric. A rubric is a scoring guide that helps teachers evaluate student performance as well as a student product or project. A writing rubric allows you, as a teacher, to help students improve their writing skills by determining what areas they need help in.

Rubric Basics

To get started in creating a rubric, you must:

Read through the students' writing assignment completely.
Read each criterion on the rubric and then reread the assignment, this time focusing on each feature of the rubric.
Circle the appropriate section for each criterion listed. This will help you score the assignment at the end.
Give the writing assignment a final score.

How to Score A Rubric

To learn how to turn a four-point rubric into a letter grade, use the basic writing rubric below as an example. The four-point rubric uses four potential points the student can earn for each area, such as 1) strong, 2) developing, 3) emerging, and 4) beginning. To turn your rubric score into a letter grade, divide the points earned by the points possible.

Example: The student earns 18 out of 20 points. 18/20 = 90 percent; 90 percent = A

Suggested Point Scale:

88-100 = A
75-87 = B
62-74 = C
50-61 = D
0-50 = F

Basic Writing Rubric

Feature	4 Strong	3 Developing	2 Emerging	1 Beginning	Score
Ideas	Establishes a clear focus Uses descriptive language Provides relevant information Communicates creative ideas	Develops a focus Uses some descriptive language Details support idea Communicates original ideas	Attempts focus Ideas not fully developed	Lacks focus and development
Organization	Establishes a strong beginning, middle, and end Demonstrates an orderly flow of ideas	Attempts an adequate introduction and ending Evidence of logical sequencing	Some evidence of a beginning, middle, and end Sequencing is attempted	Little or no organization Relies on single idea
Expression	Uses effective language Uses high-level vocabulary Use of sentence variety	Diverse word choice Uses descriptive words Sentence variety	Limited word choice Basic sentence structure	No sense of sentence structure
Conventions	Few or no errors in: grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation	Some errors in: grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation	Has some difficulty in: grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation	Little or no evidence of correct grammar, spelling, capitalization or punctuation
Legibility	Easy to read Properly spaced Proper letter formation	Readable with some spacing/forming errors	Difficult to read due to spacing/forming letter	No evidence of spacing/forming letters

Narrative Writing Rubric

Criteria	4 Advanced	3 Proficient	2 Basic	1 Not There Yet
Main Idea & Focus	Skillfully combines story elements around main idea Focus on topic is profoundly clear	Combines story elements around main idea Focus on topic is clear	Story elements do not reveal a main idea Focus on topic is somewhat clear	There is no clear main idea Focus on topic is not clear
Plot & Narrative Devices	Characters, plot, and setting are developed strongly Sensory details and narratives are skillfully evident	Characters, plot, and setting are developed Sensory details and narratives are evident	Characters, plot, and setting are minimally developed Attempts to use narratives and sensory details	Lacks development on characters, plot, and setting Fails to use sensory details and narratives
Organization	Strong and engaging description Sequencing of details are effective and logical	Engaging description Adequate sequencing of details	Description needs some work Sequencing is limited	Description and sequencing needs major revision
Voice	Voice is expressive and confident	Voice is authentic	Voice is undefined	Writer's voice is not evident
Sentence Fluency	Sentence structure enhances meaning	Purposeful use of sentence structure	Sentence structure is limited	No sense of sentence structure
Conventions	A strong sense of writing conventions is apparent	Standard writing conventions is apparent	Grade level appropriate conventions	Limited use of appropriate conventions

Expository Writing Rubric

Criteria	4 Displays Evidence Beyond	3 Consistent Evidence	2 Some Evidence	1 Little/No Evidence
Ideas	Informative with clear focus and supporting details	Informative with clear focus	Focus needs to be expanded and supporting details are needed	Topic needs to be developed
Organization	Very well organized; easy to read	Has a beginning, middle, and end	Little organization; needs transitions	Organization is needed
Voice	Voice is confident throughout	Voice is confident	Voice is somewhat confident	Little to no voice; needs confidence
Word Choice	Nouns and verbs make essay informative	Use of nouns and verbs	Needs specific nouns and verbs; too general	Little to no use of specific nouns and verbs
Sentence Fluency	Sentences flow throughout piece	Sentences mostly flow	Sentences need to flow	Sentences are difficult to read and do not flow
Conventions	Zero errors	Few errors	Several errors	Many errors make it hard to read