Level

Organization & Focus

Mechanics & Structure

Vocabulary & Word Choice

Penmanship

6

Clear topic including beginning, middle and end. Uses a variety of techniques to engage a reader (leads, endings). Some evidence of revision.

Few or no errors in spelling, mechanics, capitalization and punctuation. Some evidence of editing.

Superior use of descriptive vocabulary and sensory details. Demonstrates originality in creating vivid images of people, places, things and experiences.

Prints legibly and spaces letters, words, and sentences with precision.

5

Writes to a topic including main idea and consistent focus. Groups related ideas sequentially with purpose.

Uses a variety of complete and interesting sentences. Infrequent errors in spelling, mechanics, capitalization, and punctuation.

Writes effective descriptions of objects, people, places, or events using sensory language. Describes characters, setting, and events in detail.

Prints legibly and spaces letters, words, and sentences.

4

Writes to a topic that is moderately developed. Demonstrates logical sequencing.

Consistently uses complete sentences. Some errors in spelling, mechanics, capitalization, and punctuation.

Evidence of descriptive vocabulary.

Prints legibly with minimal errors in spacing letters, words, and sentences.

3

Writes to a topic. Some evidence of sequential development.

Uses complete sentences. Errors in spelling, mechanics, capitalization, and punctuation.

Begins to use descriptive vocabulary.

2

Limited sense of topic. Lacks sequential development.

Incomplete or run-on sentences. Many errors in spelling, mechanics, capitalization, and punctuation.

Limited sense of descriptive vocabulary.

1

No sequential development.

Errors in nearly all spelling, mechanics, capitalization, and punctuation. May use familiar letters and words as labels.

No sense of descriptive vocabulary. May convey message through a drawing. May use words, sentences displayed in classroom.

Inconsistent printing skills. May use random letters or symbols.