Name____________________________________ Class Period _________ Date ___/___/___ Topic of Paragraph ____________________________________Paragraph Rubric

4 - Advanced
3 - Proficient
2 - Partially Proficient
1 - Basic
Ideas and Content
Ideas and Content
Ideas and Content
Ideas and Content
Text purpose is appropriate for audience and accomplishes
Text purpose is appropriate for audience and uses
Text purpose is clear during most of the paper;
Text purpose is unclear or unstated.
goal through each sentence and idea.
details to advance the goal of the paper.
the writer may switch to a second purpose.
Ideas and claims need to be added or
Ideas and claims are supported through a combination of
Ideas and claims are supported through a
Ideas and claims are somewhat supported with
connected to the topic sentence; more
specific and relevant quotes, questions, examples, concrete
combination of relevant quotes, examples, details,
quotes from the text, but they may need to be
details are needed.
details, analogies, well-chosen facts, and expert opinions.
well-chosen facts, and expert opinions.
more specific to the claim; evidence may be
Elaboration of supporting evidence is
included but may not ultimately defend the claim.
Elaboration of supporting evidence provides a unique point
Elaboration of supporting evidence provides a
needed. Details may come from an
that is accurate and adds new thinking through depth of an
beyond-what-the-quote-says summary, application, Purposeful elaboration is needed; it may
unrelated source like Brainy Quotes.
explanation, relationship with analysis, or specific reflection.
synthesis, or judgment according to purpose.
currently restate information.
Organization
Organization
Organization
Organization
Organization of paragraph is based upon
Organization of paragraph is based upon the grade Organization of the paragraph is based on some Organization of the paragraph is weak
GBYRRYRRYRRPO paragraph-writing format. Advanced
GBYRRYRRYRRPO paragraph-writing format.
or elements of the GBYRRYRRYRRPO format.
and needs revision using the
writers utilize all necessary components of this format, while Appropriate hook presents the main topic through
GBYRRYRRYRRPO format.
A hook may be included, but it pulls the
successfully playing with the format for intentional textual
An appropriate hook is needed.
humor, a shocking fact, or a creative idea.
paragraph down as one more thing rather than
outcome.
by providing a compelling introduction.
Transitions are clear, embedded (most of the time),
Transitions need to be added to show
Creative, appropriate hook impacts the reader with a wowand varied, showing relationships between ideas in Transitions may be included but are clichd (like
embedded and varied relationships
factor and presents the main topic of the paragraph.
the text.
First, Next, Finally, All in all, As you can see), or
between ideas.
Transitions are not only clear, varied, and effective, they
they sometimes present the relationship
A conclusion follows that reflects from narrated
A conclusion is not included or does
flow naturally and disappear into the text.
between ideas.
events, or summarizes controlling idea and
not advance the texts purpose.
A conclusion follows that adds something new to advance
A conclusion is included, but it is a clichd
purpose, or supports the argument presented.
the purpose; it is witty, insightful, complex, or poses a
conclusion (like All in all, As you can see, To
challenge appropriate to the texts purpose.
recapitulate, etc.).
Style and Word Choice
Style and Word Choice
Style and Word Choice
Style and Word Choice
Academic language flows and strengthens formal tone.
Academic language builds a formal third person
Academic language may be included in a non Casual, rather than academic
tone (he, she, they,)
academic tone like first person (I, me, my) or
language, is presented.
Domain vocabulary masterfully strengthens the text;
second person (you, we, our)
Domain vocabulary is included approximately 20
Domain vocabulary is very limited (10
(approx. 25). Accurate advanced vocabulary supports
Domain vocabulary is included about half of the
content and flow without sounding like a thesaurus.
times to demonstrate understanding of content.
or less), or is not used accurately or
time (approx. 15 times), but the topic is
consistently.
Unique writers style is woven through a combination of
Unique writers style is maintained through
presented with limited quality due to language.
Writers style is still in development.
advanced and varied vocabulary, sentence structure, and
strategies including varied vocabulary, sentence
Unique writers style may include most elements; Voice elements are limited or not
well-chosen and well-placed descriptive details.
structure, and descriptive details.
however, the writing may lack the personal tone,
Voice elements (5-6) including rhetorical techniques and
Voice elements (4-5), including rhetorical
included as a way to present
feeling, or expression unique to the person.
figurative language, are embedded into the text as a unique
techniques and figurative language, are included in
information with style.
Voice elements (2-3) are included.
way to present details with cadence and logic.
the paragraph.
Conventions
Conventions
Conventions
Conventions
Present tense is accurate, even after a quote in past tense.
Present tense is used (verbs end in s or es).
Present tense is correct sometimes.
Present tense is not used or accurate.
Active verbs are used with no or one state of being verb in
Active verbs are used almost always, with only two
Active verbs are used sometimes, but the writer
Active verbs are not maintained.
the paragraph (not counting quotes).
state of being verbs.
may slip into passive voice.
Capitalization, punctuation, and
Capitalization, punctuation, and spelling of advanced words
Capitalization, punctuation, and spelling of words
Capitalization, punctuation, and spelling is
spelling contains multiple errors.
and sentence patterns is correct.
and sentence patterns is correct.
correct sometimes.
MLA Format and Citation
Format and Citation
Format and Citation
MLA Format and Citation
MLA format for in-text citations is used with zero mistakes,
MLA format for in-text citations is used accurately
MLA format for quotes may be attempted with
MLA format for quotes contains many
even with complex sources.
almost always; a minor error may occur when
errors, or the quotes may be included in quotes
errors or is not included.
quoting complex texts.
without the (in-text citation).
MLA format for the paper is used with zero errors in
MLA format for the paper is mostly
MLA format for the paper is mostly correct.
MLA format for the paper may have minor errors.
heading, one inch margins, double-spacing, font size (12),
incorrect or is not used.
or use of a standard text font.