Language Arts Traits Rubric
Trait / No Command(1) / Limited Command (2) / Moderate Command (3) / Strong Command (4) “Grade Level” / Distinguished Command (5) “Above Grade Level”
Conventions / No understanding of basic Conventions causing major distraction for reader
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Spelling – most/all words spelled incorrect
Punctuation – no punctuation used. No indentions used.
Capitalization – No Capitalization used
Grammar and Usage –major mistakes in grammar, agreement, tense and word usage / Few attempts at conventions but most are inaccurate.
Spelling – high frequency words are misspelled
Punctuation- End punctuation present, but not consistently.
Capitalization – inconsistent use of initial capitalization with little to no capitalization of Proper nouns
Grammar and Usage–inconsistent use of grammar and usage, many mistakes but the reader is able to understand the piece. / Conventions are being used with some mistakes.
Spelling – there are a few mistakes with high frequency words as well as many mistakes with unfamiliar or sophisticated words.
Punctuation – Correct basic punctuation (end punctuation, commas in a series) but struggles with more complex punctuation such as quotation marks, parentheses, dashes and paragraphs.
Capitalization – Most initial words and common proper nouns are capitalized but more complex capitalization is inconsistent when it comes to dialogue, abbreviations, and proper nouns.
Grammar/Usage – Grammar and usage mistakes are made but do not interfere with the meaning. Issues related to agreement, tense, and word usage are evident but can be easily corrected. / Conventions are being used with few mistakes.
Spelling – there are no mistakes with high frequency words and most unfamiliar or sophisticated words are spelled phonetically.
Punctuation – Correct basic punctuation and few complex punctuation mistakes.
Capitalization – Capital letters are used consistently and accurately. Few mistakes when capitalizing dialogue, abbreviation, proper nouns and titles.
Grammar/Usage – the writer used grammatically correct phrases and sentences. / Conventions are being used with no mistakes.
Spelling – sight words, high-frequency words and less familiar words are spelled correctly. Most unfamiliar words are spelled correctly or are phonetically correct.
Punctuation – Correct punctuation throughout including proper use of periods, commas, question mark and exclamation points to enhance clarity and meaning. Paragraphs are indented.
Capitalization –
Capitalization is used consistently and accurately even in areas of dialogue, abbreviations, proper nouns and titles.
Grammar/Usage – the Writer has a strong grasp of grammatically correct phrases and sentences and is able to break from those rules for stylistic reasons only.
Ideas / No topic is evident. Thoughts are random and disconnected. No meaningful details. / The topic is unfocused with incomplete or inaccurate information. Very few details are evident. No thought evident in answering the prompt. / Theme is evident but broad and unfocused. Give only personal experience to back up statements. Gives few details that are disconnected or irrelevant to the topic. / Theme (or Claim) is clear and well stated. Evidence is used to support the claim/theme. Writer is able to tell the story is a fresh and original way details are used to add interest and variety to the piece. / Theme is clear and multiple sources of evidence are cited. The writer offers credible, accurate details that create pictures in the reader’s mind, from the beginning of the piece to the end.
Organization / No lead is created. There are no transitions and no sequence in the writing. There is no resolution to the piece. / The lead is weak or bland with few transitions and limited ability to sequence the writing in a meaningful way. The resolution is bland such as “The End”. / The writer presents a lead that is simply stated with little or no original thought. The topic may be just restated from the prompt. Basic sequence and transition words are used. Sequencing and flow are evident but may be choppy and ineffective. The resolution does not tie up loose ends and leaves the reader without a sense of closure. “Thank you for reading”, “They lived happily ever after”. / The writer grabs the reader’s attention in an interesting and creative way. Sequence and transition words are used correctly to guide the reader through the piece. The piece flows logically and is easy to read with a clear resolution. / The writer grabs the reader’s attention in an interesting and creative way and carries it through the entire piece. Interesting sequence and transition words are used to create movement in the piece. The resolution is strong anticipating any unresolved questions the reading may have. The closure is strong, creative and memorable.
Presentation / Virtually unreadable / Writing is hard to read and is a distraction to the piece. Margins and white space is ineffective. Space between words is nonexistent. Paper is messing with smudges, cross-outs, and tears. / Presentation is readable but messy or hard to read. Word processing does not effectively use white space or margins to make reading easy. May be occasional cross-outs or smudges. / Handwriting is clear and legible. Word processing is easy to read and fits the purpose of the writing. Proper margins and spacing is used. / Handwriting is clear and legible. Word processing is correctly formatted including use of bold, italics, bullets, heading, page numbers and titles. The formatting correctly supports the purpose of the writing.
Sentence Fluency / Sentences are weak, simple and often flawed with repetitive patterns or run on sentences. / Only limited variety of sentences is evident. Sentences ramble or are incomplete. Sentences are challenging to read and may be choppy and awkward. / Sentences are simple but varying lengths and beginnings are evident with some variety in sentence types creating an uneven flow. Uses informal words to start sentences such as; well, and, but. Dialogue does not sound authentic. / Writer constructs creative sentences that successfully use transition words. The writer uses various types of sentences (simple, compound, and complex) to enhance the central theme or story line. Phrasing is smooth and musical. The piece is easy and interesting to read. / Writer is able to intentionally break the rules to make dialogue sound authentic. Varying sentences types and lengths create a smooth and rhythmic feel. The piece is eloquent and interesting to read.
Voice / No evidence of tone, purpose of connection to audience. / Some evidence of tone, purpose and connection to audience but it is boring and demonstrates little thought involved. / Tone is evident and may be pleasing and sincere but feels generic. The voice chosen is not completely clear. There is little connection to the audience. Lacks energy, commitment, and conviction. / Writing is expressive and compelling. There is conviction, authority and integrity. Purpose is clear and appropriate for the mode. The reader is connected to the writer and has a clear understanding of the writer’s point of view and feeling about the topic. The piece is interesting and original. / Writing is highly expressive and compelling with strong conviction, authority and integrity. The Purpose is clear and appropriate for the mode. The reader is strongly connected to the writer and is able to empathize or be persuaded by the writer. The piece is engaging and creative.
Word choice / Words are passive and unimaginative. The writer misuses words. Piece is difficult to understand / Words and phrases are repetitive and vague. Piece is confusing. Words are technical, inappropriate, or irrelevant. / A few “action words” are used but there is little evidence to suggest that the writer has stretched for the best words or phrases. May use clichés. Words do not capture the reader’s imagination or paint a picture for the reader. Words communicate the basic idea, but are ordinary and uninspired. / A variety of “action words” are used to give the piece interest. Writer uses literary techniques such as alliteration, simile, and metaphor to make the piece interesting. The writer chooses words to clarify meaning and to capture the reader’s imagination. / Strong and creative “action words” are used throughout the piece. There are multiple uses of literary techniques such as alliteration, simile, and metaphor to make the piece interesting. Words are intentionally selected to add clarity and meaning. There is a sense of imagination with some punch and pizzazz.