Student:______Grade:______SCORE:______

Informational Writing Rubric

4-Exceeds Standards / 3-Meets Standards / 2-Approaching Standards / 1- Significantly Below Standards
Introduction
Score______ / Contains an engaging lead, a clear central idea, contextualized with background knowledge about the topic and mentioned key ideas that would be discussed. / Contains a lead, a clear central idea, some background on the topic, and some key ideas that would be discussed. / Wrote an introduction that may be unclear or not include one or more of the following:
lead, clear central idea, background on the topic, or some key ideas that would be discussed. / The central idea is unclear or missing. No lead or background knowledge on the topic. The writer does not give an idea about what ideas will be discussed.
Evidence to support claim
Score______ / Central idea is well supported by relevant evidence with no misunderstandings or misinterpretations
Evidence is always expanded upon through productive analysis of the evidence / Central idea is well supported by evidence with very little misunderstanding or misinterpretation
Evidence is usually expanded upon through productive analysis of the evidence / Central idea is partially supported by relevant evidence
Significant gaps in understanding and misinterpretations are often present / Demonstrates an understanding of what evidence is, but provides minimal accurate or relevant evidence.
Organization
Score______ / The organization strengthens the exposition. The introduction establishes context; the organizational strategies are
appropriate for the content and purpose.
There is a smooth progression of ideas enhanced by proper integration of quotes and paraphrase, effective transitions, sentence variety, and consistent formatting. / The organization supports the exposition. The introduction establishes the context; the organizational strategies are
appropriate for the content and purpose.
The ideas progress smoothly with appropriate transitions, but evidence is not always integrated properly. Sentences relate relevant information and formatting is consistent. / Some attempt has been made at a sustained organization, but major pieces are missing or inadequate. The introduction does not establish the context; The organizational strategy is
unclear and impedes exposition.
Paragraphs do contain separate ideas, but the relationships among them are not indicated with transitions. Quotes and
paraphrases may be present, but no distinction is made between the two and they are not effectively integrated into the exposition. Sentences are repetitive and fail to develop ideas from one to the next. / There is no sustained organization for the exposition. Organization does not rise above the paragraph level. The essay does contain discrete paragraphs, but the relationships among them are unclear.
Ideas do not flow across paragraphs and are often impeded by erroneous sentence structure and paragraph development.
Language and Vocabulary
Score______ / Content-specific vocabulary is used throughout the writing, and is always accurate and correct in context. The language used enhances the overall effectiveness of the paper. / Content-specific vocabulary is used throughout the writing, and is used correctly in context most of the time / Content-specific vocabulary is used at times, but is often inaccurate or inappropriate in context / Very little, to no, content-specific vocabulary is used.
If content specific language is used, it is inaccurate
Formal Style
Score______ / Establishes and maintains a formal style throughout all of the writing / Establishes and maintains a formal style throughout most of the writing / Establishes a formal style of writing but most of the writing is informal in nature / Establishes and maintains an informal style of writing (ex: first person, questions, etc)

Reader:______