Elements

A (Exceeds
meets
expectations)

B (Meets
approaching
Expectations)

C (Approaching
Expectations)

D-F Requires
Re-write

Ideas

Writing captures a
memorable and
distinct time and
gives 1-2
paragraphs on
importance of
time and lesson.

Writing captures
a memorable
time and gives
1+ paragraph on
importance of
time and lesson.

Writing is about a
certain time,
includes some
information
about the lesson
learned.

Organizati
on

Writing follows
outline: intro,
story with wellplaced sensory
details, and
lesson/change, w/
impact of other
areas (school,
etc.). Details and
events are well
organized, follow
an order (time,
etc.), and are
relevant.
Word choice
expresses clear
voice, writers
personality is
clear and
identifiable, uses
variety of voice
strategies
including dialect
and dialogue.
Words are specific
and descriptive.
Setting,
character(s), and
important events
are clearly
described using
sensory language.
All details support
the main action
and/or the lesson
learned.

Writing follows
outline:
introduction,
story with some
sensory details,
and finally
lesson/way the
event changed
writer. Details
and events are
well organized
and follow an
order (time, etc.).

Writing follows
some of the
outline with
limited sensory
details and/or
does not fully
explain lesson
learned. Details
and events are
somewhat
organized and/or
do not follow an
order.

Subject is
many times or
unspecified
time, limitedno details
about that time
or its
importance.
Writing follows
outline little to
none, one
sentence-no
information
about lesson
learned.
Details and
events are
limited and/or
disorganized.

Writing expresses
voice in parts,
writes with
thought and
feeling at times.
Most words are
specific and
descriptive.

Writing
expresses somelittle voice,
thought, and/or
feeling. Some
words are
specific and/
descriptive.

Writing
expresses little
to no voice,
thought, or
feeling. Few
words are
specific/
descriptive

Words express
thought and
voice and create
a picture for the
reader using
sensory
language. Most
words are
specific and
descriptive.
Details are
relevant to topic.
Sentences are
clear and
complete. Each
sentence has an
end mark and
starts with a
capital letter.
1.5+ pages.

Words express
thought and/or
voice and/or
create a picture
for the reader.
Some words are
specific and/
descriptive and
most details are
relevant to topic.

Words express
some- little
voice/thought /
create a
picture for the
reader. Few
words are
specific/
descriptive.
Few relevant
details.

Most sentences
are clear&
complete w/
some little
variety. Each
sentence has an
end mark &
starts w/ a
capital letter. 1+
pg.

Some
sentences are
clear &
complete
and/or have
little variety.
Most have end
mark & start w/
a capital letter.

Word
choice &
Voice

Descriptio
n

Sentence
Fluency &
Conventio
ns

Sentences are
clear and
complete with
variety. Each
sentence has an
end mark and
starts with a
capital letter. 2
pages

Phase Autobiography Rubric

Grade:
Comments:

Phase Autobiography Self Assessment

Writing Process:
1. Have you revised with focus on organization, following the outline, adding
any necessary details, and removing any unnecessary details?
2. Have you edited for spelling mistakes, complete and clear sentences with
variety, and specific and descriptive words that express your personal voice?
3. Have you made sure your writing is typed, in 12 point Times New Roman
font, double-spaced, with a descriptive and unique title, and a header (name,
teachers name, class, day/month/year)?
Ideas:
1. Does your writing cover a specific time in your life?
2. Have you included all of the necessary events for us to understand what
happened?
3. Have you included enough detail to make your story interesting and
understandable and few enough details that your description is not excessive
or boring?
Organization
1. Does your writing include an introduction to the topic and time period? Does
it include what you were like before this event?
2. Does your body include the story of what happened in descriptive yet
necessary detail?
3. Does your ending include a lesson or way this event changed you?
4. Have you included how this change relates to other areas of your life? (For
example, if you learned persistence from a sport, has this helped you in
school or something else?)
Voice
1. Does your writing express your personality?
2. Does your writing sound like you (and not a thesaurus)?
Word Choice
1. Are your words carefully selected, specific, and descriptive?
2. Do they reflect your personality and yet an academic tone?
3. Do these words express thought and emotion?
Sentence Fluency and Conventions
1. Are ALL of your sentences clear and complete with an end mark and capital
letter? Do you have varied sentence structure?
Areas of Strength

Areas for focus/improvement