Persuasive Writing Rubric—Elementary

4

3

2

1

Purpose

My writing has a clear purpose that addresses an important topic. Every part of my writing helps to persuade the audience of my purpose.

My writing has a clear purpose that addresses a topic. Every part of my writing relates to my purpose.

My writing seems to have a purpose that addresses a topic, but some parts do not relate to my purpose.

My writing does not seem to have a purpose.

Introduction

My introduction states the purpose in an interesting way. My introduction explains how I want the audience to respond.

My introduction states the purpose. My introduction explains how I want the audience to respond.

My introduction mentions the purpose. My introduction is unclear about how I want the audience to respond.

I do not have an introduction, or my introduction does not explain the purpose of my writing.

Organization

I organize major ideas in a way that helps the audience understand what I am saying.

I organize ideas in a logical way.

I try to organize ideas, but sometimes the organization does not make sense.

I do not organize ideas in my writing.

Reasons

I give several good reasons for what I want my audience to do.

I give good reasons for what I want my audience to do. .

I try to give good reasons for what I want my audience to do.

I do not give any reasons for what I want my audience to do.

Evidence

I have many good sources to back up my ideas. I explain where my information comes from.

I have good sources to back up my ideas. I explain where my information comes from.

Some of the information I use does not come from good sources. Sometimes I do not explain where my information comes from.

I get most of my information from just one source. I do not explain where my information comes from.

Conclusion

The conclusion of my writing summarizes my main points in an interesting way. My conclusion repeats what I want the audience to do.

My conclusion summarizes my main points. My conclusion repeats what I want the audience to do.

My conclusion summarizes some of my main points. My conclusion leaves the audience a little confused about what they are supposed to do.

My writing does not have a conclusion.

Audience

I think about my audience. I write so the audience will understand my reasons. I try to answer any questions the audience might have.

I think my audience. I write so the audience will understand.

I try to think about my audience. My writing is not always appropriate for my audience.

I do not think about my audience. My writing is not appropriate for my audience.

Paragraphs

My writing has many paragraphs of different lengths. My paragraphs are divided in a way that makes sense.

My writing has paragraphs of different lengths.

Some of my paragraphs are too long or too short.

My writing has no paragraphs, or many of my paragraphs are too long or too short.

Sentences

My sentences use different lengths, structures, and beginnings to make my writing more surprising and interesting.

My sentences use some different lengths, structures, and beginnings.

Some of my sentences sound different, but some of them sound the same.

Most of my sentences sound the same.

Language

I use descriptive, interesting words to create pictures in the mind of readers.

I use interesting words in my writing.

I try to use interesting words in my writing.

The words in my writing are ordinary and predictable.

Conventions

I make no errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or Standard English.

I make no errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or Standard English that take away from the meaning.

I make some errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or Standard English that take away from the meaning.

I make so many errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and Standard English that my writing is hard to understand.