Memorial High School 
English Department


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ISTEP+ Based Sample Writing Rubric

Criteria 4 3 2 1
Content & Ideas Stays completely
focused on task
Includes thorough & complete ideas & info
1-2 pages long
Stays focused on
topic and task
includes many relevant ideas
1-2 pages long
Stays somewhat focused on task & topic
Includes some relevant ideas & info
Less than 1 page or too long
Has little or no focus on topic
Includes very few relevant ideas or info
Less than 1 page or too long
Organization Organizes ideas logically
Excellent paragraphing
Clear transitions
Organizes ideas logically
Good paragraphing
Transitions
Attempts to organize ideas
Some paragraphing
Poor transitions
Does not organize ideas logically
No paragraphing
Style Exhibits exceptional word usage & writing technique
Demonstrates exceptional writing technique
Exhibits adequate word usage
Demonstrates adequate writing technique
Exhibits minimal word usage
Demonstrates minimal writing technique
Exhibits less than
minimal word usage
Demonstrates less than adequate writing technique
Voice Effectively adjust language & tone to the task and reader Attempts to adjust language & tone to task and reader May use language & tone inappropriate to task and reader May use language & tone inappropriate to task and reader
Usage/Grammar
Skills
No glaring errors
Capitalization & punctuation correct
Grammar & usage correct
Minor errors
Capitalization & punctuation mostly correct
Grammar & usage
mostly correct
Serious errors
Capitalization & punctuation are missing or incorrect
Grammar & usage are incorrect in some areas
Many serious errors or little evidence of
language skills