Expository Writing RubricBased on TEA-STAAR Rubric

Score Point 4 / Score Point 3 / Score Point 2 / Score Point 1
Organization and
Progression /
  • Structure is clearly appropriate to purpose
  • Organizational strategies that are wellsuited
  • Clear thesis statement
  • Strong , focused ideas
  • Unified and coherent
  • Meaningful transitions and strong sentence-to-sentence connections
/
  • Structure is for the most part appropriate to purpose
  • Organizational strategies that are adequatelysuited
  • Clear thesis statement
  • Most ideas are related to thesis and are focused on the topic in prompt
  • Coherent, though may not always be unified
  • For the most part, meaningful transitions and sufficient sentence-to-sentence connections
/
  • Structure is evident but may not always be appropriate to the purpose
  • Organizational strategies that are only somewhatsuited
  • Weak/unclear thesis statement
  • Most ideas are generally related to prompt
  • Lack of thesis
  • Repetition/wordiness cause minor disruptions in flow
  • Transitions and sentence-to-sentence connections are too perfunctory/weak
/
  • Structure is inappropriate to the purpose
  • Organizational strategies that are only marginallysuited to the expository task or they are inappropriate or not evident at all
  • Lacks clarity & direction
  • Thesis statement is missing/unclear/illogical
  • Fails to maintain focus
  • Repetition/wordiness cause serious disruptions in flow of essay.

  • The essay difficult to follow or unclear

Development of Ideas /
  • Effective because writer uses details/examples are wellchosen
  • Thoughtful and engaging
  • May respond to prompt using unique exp. or view of the world as basis for writing, or may connect ideas in an interesting way
  • Thorough understanding of the expository task
/
  • Sufficient because writer uses details/examples are specific/appropriate
  • Reflects some thoughtfulness
  • Formulaic
  • Good understanding of the expository task
/
  • Minimal/superficial because writer uses details/examples that are not always appropriate/too briefly or partially presented
  • Reflects little/no thoughtfulness
  • Sometimes formulaic
  • Limited understanding of the expository task
/
  • Weak/Ineffective because writer uses details/examples that are inappropriate/vague/
Insufficient
  • Insubstantial because response to the prompt is vague/confused
  • Weakly linked to prompt
  • Lack of understanding of the expository task

Use of Language/ Conventions /
  • Word choice is purposeful and precise
  • Maintains appropriate Tone
  • Sentences are purposeful, varied, well controlled, and enhance effectiveness
  • Demonstrates consistent command of:
Sentence boundaries
Spelling
Capitalization
Punctuation
Grammar
Usage conventions /
  • Word choice is for the most part clear and specific
  • Establishes an appropriate tone
  • Sentences are varied, adequately controlled, and for the most part contribute to the effectiveness
  • Demonstrates adequate command of:
Sentence boundaries
Spelling
Capitalization
Punctuation
Grammar
Usage conventions /
  • Word choice may be general or imprecise
  • Sentences are awkward
  • Demonstrates partial command of:
Sentence boundaries
Spelling
Capitalization
Punctuation
Grammar
Usage conventions /
  • Word choice may be vague/limited
  • Sentences are simplistic
  • Demonstrates little/no command of:
Sentence boundaries
Spelling
Capitalization
Punctuation
Grammar
Usage conventions