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NON-FICTION WRITING RUBRIC
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ldeas Writer used several strategies for
(Writing generating topics or ideas. The topic/idea
Process) is relevant and clearly defined with
significant supports.
Organization Writer introduces a topic, organizes ideas,
(Craft) concepts and information, using skategies
such as definition, classification,
comparison/contrast and cause/effect.
Writer may use various NF text features
such as headings, graphics (e.g., charts,
and/or tables) include multimedia when
useful to aiding comprehension.
Writer uses appropriate transitions to
clarify the relationships among ideas and
concepts.
Voice Writer's voice is obvious and purposely
(Craft) compels and engages the reader. The
voice demonstrates an awareness and
respect for the audience and the purpose
for writing.
Elaboration Writer develops the topics with relevant
facts definitions, concrete details,
quotations, or other information and
examples. Writer purposely includes facts
that support the central theme or idea and
uses words, phrases, and clauses to
convey the relationships among various
facts or ideas.
Meaning/ Topic is clearly defined and writer
Significance commands the central idea or theme
throughout the piece. The order,
structure, or presentation of information is
intentionally compelling and moves the
reader through the text.
Grammar, Writer uses academic language pertaining
Spelling, to the topic that is powerful and engaging.
Conventions Uses varied sentence structure that invites
expressive oral reading. Writer makes
little to no errors in grammar, spelling,
punctuation or paragraphing that does not
distract the reader from the meanino.
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Writer used several strategies for Writer used one-two strategies for Writer used one strategy for
generating topics or ideas. The generating topics or ideas. The generating topics or ideas. The
topic/idea is relevant and is defined with topic/idea is somewhat relevant but not topic/idea is irrelevant and not
significant supports. clearly defined with some significant defined. Supports are insignifi cant.
and/or insignificant supports.
Writer introduces a topic, attempls to Writer attempts to introduce a topic. Topic is undefined and uncrear.
organize ideas, concepts and ldeas, concepts and information, are ldeas, concepts and information, are
information, using strategies such as unfocused and weak. unorganized.
definition, classification, Writer may use some NF text features Writer use no NF text features such
comparison/contrast and cause/effect. such as headings, graphics (e.9., as headings, graphics (e.9., charts,
Writer may use some NF text features charts, and/or tables). and/or tables).
such as headings, graphics (e.g., No attempt is made to include No atternpt is made to incluoe
charts, and/or tables) attempts to multimedia to aid comprehension. multimedia to aid comprehension.
include multimedia when useful to Writer uses liftle to no appropriate Writer does not use any appropriate
aiding comprehension but aid might be transitions to clarify the relationships transitions to clarify the relationships
weaK. among ideas and concepts among ideas and concepts.
Writer uses some appropriate
transitions to clarify the relationships
among ideas and concepts.
Writer aftempts to add their voice to Writer makes a weak attemot to add No attempt is made to add the
engage the reader. The voice their voice. writer's voice.
demonstrates awareness of the purpose
for writino.
Writer attempts to develop the topics Writer attempts to develop the topics. Writer attempts to develop the topics.
with relevant facts definitions, some May include se some irrelevant facts May include se some irrelevant facts
concrete details, quotations, or other and attempts to use definitions, or other and attempts to use definitions, or
information and examples. Writer information and examples" Writer other information and examoles.
includes facts that support the central makes an attempt to include facts but Writer makes an attempt to include
theme or idea and attempts to use does not clearly support the central facts but does not clearly support the
words, phrases, and clauses to convey theme or idea. central theme or idea.
the relationships among various facts or
ideas.
Topic is defined and writer maintains Topic is not clearly defined. Writer Topic is confusing and/or undefined.
the central idea or theme throughout the aftempt to maintain the central idea or Writer attempt to maintain the central
piece. The order, structure, or theme throughout the piece but includes idea or theme throughout the prece
presentation of information moves the some unnecessary information. The but includes some unnecessary
reader through the text. order, structure, or presentation of information. The order, structure, or
information does not move the reader presentation of information does not
through the text. move the reader through the text.
Writer attempts to use academic Writer uses little to no academic Writer uses no academic language
language pertaining to the topic. Writer language pertaining to the topic. Writer pertaining to the topic. Writer uses
uses some varied sentence structure uses simple sentence structures. Writer short simple sentence structures.
that invites expressive oral reading. makes errors in grammar, spelling, Writer makes many errors in
Writer makes some errors in grammar, punctuation or paragraphing and grammar, spelling, punctuation or
spelling, punctuation or paragraphing somewhat distracts the reader from the paragraphing and greatly distracts
has little distraction to the reader from meanrng. the reader from the meanino.
the meaning.
Presentation The writer made a conscious effort to
make the piece attractive and pleasing to
the reader. Draft shows revisions and
edits made. The rubric and draft are
attached to published piece.
The form and presentation ofthe text
enhances the ability for the reader to
understand and connect wlth the
message.
The writer made an attempt to make the The writer made little to no attempt to The writer made no attempt to make
piece attractive and pleasing to the make the piece attractive to the reader. the piece attractive to the reader.
reader. Draft shows revisions and edits Draft shows liftle to no revisions and Draft shows no revisions or edits
made. The rubric and draft are attached edits made. The rubric and draft are made. The rubric and draft are not
to published piece. attached to published piece. attached to published piece.
The form and presentation ofthe text
somewhat enhances the ability for the
reader to understand and connect with
the message-