MWA 1: Descriptive Writing Grading Rubric

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5- Excellent 4- Very Good 3-Satisfactory 1-2 Needs

Improvement
Ideas *“paints a picture” *creates some clear *sometimes strays *poorly focused on the
for the reader images for the from the topic topic
*well-focused on reader *ideas are not well- *ideas are unclear
the topic *focused on the developed *few details are given
*clear ideas are topic *more details are
well-supported *ideas are well- needed
with interesting supported with
and vivid details details

Organization *well-focused on *generally focused *somewhat focused *not focused on the

the topic on the topic on the topic topic
*logical *some lapses in *poor organization *no clear organization
organization organization *few transitions *no transitions
*excellent *some transitions *difficult to follow *difficult to impossible
transitions *usually easy to to follow
*easy to follow follow
Introduction Introductory Introductory Introductory No attempt is made to
paragraph clearly paragraph states paragraph attempts state the subject of the
states subject of subject of essay but to state subject of essay in an introductory
essay and captures is not particularly essay but does not paragraph.
reader's attention. inviting to the capture reader's
reader. attention.
Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion paragraph Conclusion paragraph
paragraph clearly paragraph restates attempts to restate does not adequately
restates subject of subject of essay but subject of essay but is restate subject of essay
essay. is missing some of missing many of the and is missing most of
the components to components to make the components to
make an effective an effective make an effective
concluding concluding concluding paragraph.
paragraph. paragraph.
Word Choice *precise, vivid, and *fairly precise, *vague, mundane *very limited word
interesting word interesting, and word choices choices
choices somewhat varied *wording is *wording is bland and
*wide variety of word choices sometimes repetitive not descriptive
word choices *wording could be *more descriptive
more specific words are needed
Sensory Essay includes Includes details that Includes details that Includes no details that
Detail details that appeal appeal to fewer than appeal to only one of appeal to one of the five
 to at least three of three of the five the five senses. senses.
the five senses senses.
(taste, touch,
sound, sight,
smell).
Figurative Writer effectively Writer uses one Writer may try to use Writer does not include
Language uses simile, example of simile, simile, metaphor, and simile, metaphor, or
metaphor, and metaphor, or personification but personification in essay.
personification to personification to does so incorrectly.
describe the describe the subject.
subject.
Sentence *uses complete *uses complete *occasional sentence *frequent use of
Fluency sentences sentences fragment or run-on sentence fragments or
*varying sentence *generally simple sentences run-on sentences
structure and sentence structures *simple sentence *sentences are difficult
lengths structure is used to understand
repeatedly
Conventions *proper grammar, *few errors of *errors in grammar, *frequent errors in
usage grammar and usage usage and spelling grammar, usage,
*correct spelling *mostly correct sometimes make spelling, capitalization,
*correct spelling, punctuation understanding and punctuation
punctuation and capitalization difficult make understanding
*correct *some errors in difficult or impossible
capitalization punctuation and
capitalization
Formatting *correct use of *few MLA issues *multiple MLA issues *major MLA issues
MLA formatting
and tools
Grade