Friendly Letter Rubric

4

3

2

1

Content

I write in appropriate detail about experiences, feelings, and ideas that are important to me and that will be interesting to my reader.

I write about experiences and feelings that are important to me.

Sometimes, I write about experiences and feelings that are important to me, but I do not think very much about whether they will be interesting to my reader.

I usually just write about whatever I can think of without thinking about whether it is important or interesting.

Interaction

I respond appropriately to my reader’s experiences and feelings and ask questions that show I am interested.

I ask questions about my reader’s experiences that show I am interested.

Sometimes, I ask questions about my reader’s experiences.

I do not ask questions about my reader’s experiences.

Tone

I write in a tone appropriate for the reader of the letter (such as adult family member, teacher, brother or sister, or friend).

I write in different tones for different readers.

I sometimes use an inappropriate tone for the reader.

I often use an inappropriate tone.

Voice

I use language that reflects who I am, expresses my thoughts honestly and accurately, and sounds like conversation between the reader and me.

I use language that expresses my thoughts naturally and sounds like a conversation between the reader and me.

With help, I use language that expresses my thoughts naturally, but sometimes, my letters sound awkward and unnatural.

I use language that sounds awkward.

Writing: Word Choice

I use language that is accurate, vivid, interesting, and meaningful to me, to describe what I am thinking and feeling.

I use accurate and interesting language to describe what I am thinking and feeling.

I try to use interesting language, but my language is sometimes predictable.

The language in my letter is predictable and uninteresting.

Paragraphs

My letter is divided into paragraphs about single topics that help the reader understand what I am saying.

My letter is divided into paragraphs.

My letter has some paragraphs, but some paragraphs address more than one topic.

I have too many or too few paragraphs, and most paragraph address more than one topic.

Organization

The order of my letter makes sense, and similar topics are grouped together.

Most of the time, similar topics in my letter are grouped together.

My letter sometimes jumps around from topic to topic without much organization.

My letter jumps around from topic to topic and is difficult to follow.

Format

My letter and envelope correctly include all the standard components, such as return address, mailing address, date, greeting, body, and closing.

My letter and envelope include all the standard components with only minor errors.

My letter and envelope include all the standard components but with significant errors.

My letter and envelope are missing some components.

Conventions

I use correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization effectively to help my writing make sense.

I usually use correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization effectively. If I make errors, they do not detract from the meaning of my writing.

I am sometimes careless with spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. I frequently make errors that are distracting.

I do not pay attention to my spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. I make so many errors that my writing is hard to understand.