South Carolina Writing Rubric
(Extended Response Scoring Guide - Grades 3-5)
Independent
SCORE CONTENT & DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION VOICE CONVENTIONS
4 Presents a clear central idea about the A clear organizational strategy is Rules of standard English usage are
topic. present; there is evidence of a plan for applied consistently; there may be minor
presenting information. errors in standard written English.
Fully develops the central idea with There is a logical progression and Sentences are constructed correctly; the
insightful and relevant details. smooth transitions between ideas. (Gr. 6- ability to form sophisticated structures is
12 only) displayed.
Sustains focus on central idea throughout There is a logical progression of ideas. There are few errors in capitalization,
the writing. (Gr. 3-5 only) punctuation, and spelling.
There is a clear introduction, body, and Errors, when present, do not detract
conclusion. from the writer's meaning.
3 Presents a central idea about the topic. A clear organizational strategy is Uses precise or vivid vocabulary Rules of standard English are usually
present. appropriate for the topic. applied; there may be a few errors in
standard written English.
Attempts to develop the main idea, but There is usually a logical progression of Phrasing is effective, not predictable or Sentences are usually constructed
details presented may be general or the ideas. obvious. correctly; more sophisticated structures
elaboration may be uneven. may not be attempted or done correctly.
Focus is generally sustained but may shift There is an introduction, body, and Varies sentence structures to promote There are some errors in capitalization,
slightly. conclusion. rhythmic reading. punctuation, and spelling.
Strongly aware of audience; tone is Errors do not interfere with the writer's
consistent and appropriate. meaning.
2 Central idea may be unclear. There is some evidence of an Uses both general and precise vocabulary. Rules of standard English usage are
organizational strategy. applied inconsistently; there is a pattern
of errors in standard written English.
Details may be sparse; more information is The progression of ideas may be Phrasing may not be effective, and may be Sentences may be limited to simple
needed to clarify the central idea. simplistic, repetitious or somewhat predictable or obvious. constructions or be incorrect.
Focus may shift or be lost causing Attempts an introduction, body, and Some sentence variety that results in There are many errors in capitalization,
confusion for the reader. conclusion. reading that is sometimes rhythmic; may be punctuation, and spelling.
mechanical.
1 There is no clear central idea. No plan for presenting information is Uses simple vocabulary. Rules of standard English usage are not
evident. applied; there are frequent and serious
errors in standard written English.
Details are absent or confusing. Information is presented in random Phrasing may be repetitive or confusing. Sentences are generally incorrectly
order. formed.
There is no sense of focus. May lack an introduction, body and There is little sentence variety; reading is There are frequent and serious errors in
conclusion. monotonous. capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
There is little awareness of audience; tone Errors distort the writer's meaning.
may be inappropriate.
0 Off topic, illegible, or an insufficient amount of Off topic, illegible, or an insufficient amount Off topic, illegible, or an insufficient amount of Off topic, illegible, or an insufficient amount
original writing to evaluate. of original writing to evaluate. original writing to evaluate. of original writing to evaluate.
South Carolina Writing Rubric
(Extended Response Scoring Guide - Grades 3-8)
Dependent
SCORE CONTENT & DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION VOICE CONVENTIONS
4 Supports ideas with correct A clear organizational strategy is Rules of standard English usage are
information from the text. present; there is evidence of a plan applied consistently; there may be
for presenting information. minor errors in standard written
Fully develops ideas with accurate, There is a logical progression and Sentences are constructed correctly;
relevant information. Control of text- smooth transitions between ideas. the ability to form sophisticated
related information is displayed. structures is displayed.
Sustains focus on supporting ideas There is a clear introduction, body, There are few errors in capitalization,
throughout the writing. and conclusion. punctuation, and spelling.
Errors, when present, do not detract
from the writer's meaning.
3 Supports ideas with correct A clear organizational strategy is Uses precise or vivid vocabulary Rules of standard English are usually
information from the text. present. appropriate for the topic. applied; there may be a few errors in
standard written English.
Attempts to develop ideas with There is usually a logical progression Phrasing is effective, not predictable Sentences are usually constructed
relevant information. Control of text- of ideas. or obvious. correctly; more sophisticated
related information is attempted. structures may not be attempted or
done correctly.
Focus on supporting ideas is There is an introduction, body, and Varies sentence structures to There are some errors in
generally sustained. conclusion. promote rhythmic reading. capitalization, punctuation, and
Strongly aware of audience; tone is Errors do not interfere with the
consistent and appropriate. writer's meaning.
2 Ideas do not have sufficient support There is some evidence of an Uses both general and precise Rules of standard English usage are
from the text. organizational strategy. vocabulary. applied inconsistently; there is a
pattern of errors in standard written
Supporting details may be sparse or The progression of ideas may be Phrasing may not be effective, and Sentences may be limited to simple
unrelated. Control of text-related simplistic, repetitious or somewhat may be predictable (i.e. copied from constructions or be incorrect.
information is limited. random. text) or obvious.
Focus on supporting ideas may shift Attempts an introduction, body, and Some sentence variety that results in There are many errors in
or be lost causing confusion for the conclusion. reading that is sometimes rhythmic; capitalization, punctuation, and
reader. may be mechanical. spelling.
Aware of audience; tone is Errors interfere with the writer's
appropriate. meaning.
1 There are no supporting ideas. No plan for presenting information is Uses simple vocabulary. Rules of standard English usage are
evident. not applied; there are frequent and
serious errors in standard written
English.
Supporting details are absent or Information is presented in random Phrasing may be repetitive or Sentences are generally incorrectly
confusing. Control of text-related order. confusing. formed.
information is not apparent.
There is no sense of focus. May lack an introduction, body and There is little sentence variety; There are frequent and serious errors
conclusion. reading is monotonous. in capitalization, punctuation, and
spelling.
There is little awareness of audience; Errors distort the writer's meaning.
tone may be inappropriate.
0 Off topic, illegible, or an insufficient Off topic, illegible, or an insufficient Off topic, illegible, or an insufficient Off topic, illegible, or an insufficient
amount of original writing to evaluate. amount of original writing to evaluate. amount of original writing to evaluate. amount of original writing to evaluate.