Name _______________________________

Organization: Structure, flow and order of ideas Conventions- spelling, grammar, Capitalization, Word Choice: The use of rich, colorful, precise
Punctuation language that moves and enlightens the readers.
- has a clear and compelling - is polished and correct and therefore easy to read 5-6 The words in my paper are extremely clear,
direction, which makes reading a breeze. visual, and accurate. I picked just the right words
A. My introduction gets the reader’s attention and A. I have used capitals correctly. for the right places.
gives clues about what is coming. B. I have punctuated correctly.
B. I used a thoughtful and natural order of thoughts C. My spelling is accurate. A. All the words in my paper fit. Each one seems
C. The details and ideas are ordered logically and D. My grammar/usage is consistent and shows just right.
effectively. control. B. My words are colorful, snappy, vital, brisk, and
D. Every paragraph discusses a single idea E. Because my conventions are correct, my paper fresh. Nothing is overdone, vague, or flowery.
E. My conclusion brings satisfying closure is easy to read. C. My verbs are energetic and vivid.

3-4 The order of my story/paper makes sense most of 3-4 My piece shows some mistake that need to be 3-4 The words in my paper get the
the time. cleaned up before I am ready to publish. message across but don’t always
A. I have an introduction, but it really capture anyone’s imagination or
doesn’t hook the reader or give him/her clues about A. I have a few capitalization errors. attention.
what is coming. B. A few problems with grammar and
B. My transitions work most of the time. punctuation might make a reader stumble or pause A. Most of the time the reader will figure out what I
C. Sometimes my details do not connect to the main now and again. mean even if a few words
idea or story. C. Spelling is correct on simple words. It may not don’t exactly fit the meaning.
D. I wrote too much in some places, and not enough always be right on the harder words. B. I might have overused the thesaurus.
in others. D. I have a few usage problems (i.e. confused C. I have used clichés instead of fresh and
E. Paragraphs are present, but not all begin in the words, pronouns) original phrases.
right place. E. My paper needs more proofreading. D. I tend to use passive verbs, everyday nouns
F. I have a conclusion. It just isn’t the way I want it and adjectives, and interesting adverbs.
yet. E. I rarely experiment with vocabulary.

1-2 My paper is jumbled and confused. It 1-2 Too many errors make this paper 1-2 The words in my paper may cause
has no clear sense of direction. hard to understand. the reader to ask, “What did you mean
A. There isn’t really a beginning to my paper. It just A. I haven’t spent much time editing this paper. by this?”
“takes off.” B. I have accidentally used "text language" in my A. A lot of my words and phrases are
B. I am confused about how the details fit with the text vague, such as: “We liked to do things,”
main idea. “We were friends and stuff.”
C. My ideas seem confusing, jumbled, and B. Some of my words are misused.
disconnected – even to me. C. My words don’t make pictures yet. I wrote
D. I haven’t got the hang of paragraphs yet. things like, “Something neat happened,” “It was
E. My transitions are missing or inappropriate. awesome.”
F. My paper doesn’t really have an ending. It just D. Over and over I used the same words, over
stops. and over, and then over and over again.
E. I used too much slang and jargon when not
appropriate
Key Question: Does the organizational structure Key Question: How much editing would have to be Key Question: Do my words and
enhance my ideas and make it easier to understand? done to be ready to share with an outside reader? phrases create vivid pictures and linger
in the reader’s mind?
Sentence Fluency: The rhythm and flow of the Voice: The heart and soul, honesty, vulnerability, COMMENTS:
language, the sound of word patterns, the way in which magic, wit, feeling and conviction of the writer
the writing plays to the ear, not just to the eye. coming out.

5-6 My sentences are clear and natural and delightful to 5-6 My piece is really individual and powerful. My
read aloud. writing has lots of personality. It sounds different
A. Some sentences are long and stretchy, while some from the way everyone else writes.
are short and snappy. A. My narrative writing seems honest and
B. The sentence beginnings vary; they show how ideas personal; my expository, analytical, or persuasive
connect. writing reflects a strong commitment and
C. You can tell that I have good sentence sense because knowledge base.
my paper just flows. B. I am interacting with my reader.
D. All the excess sentences have been cut. C. I write sincerely and with confidence.
E. My sentences are correctly constructed. D. I am willing to take risks.
F. If I have fragments or run-ons, that serve a stylistic E. I believe in what I'm saying.
purpose. F. You can tell I wrote this. No one else sounds
like me. It has my fingerprints all over it.

3-4 My sentences are clear and readable. 3-4 The words in my paper get the message REFLECTION:
A. Some sentences are choppy or awkward, but most across but don’t always capture anyone’s What did I do well?
are clear. imagination or attention. What do I need to work on?
B. Sentence beginnings are more alike than different. A. Most of the time the reader will figure out what I What simple step could I have done better
C. I need to add transition words (e.g. therefore, later, for mean even if a few words don’t exactly fit the
this reason) to show how sentences connect. meaning. to really increase the quality of this work?
D. Some sentences could be joined together; others B. I might have overused the thesaurus.
need to be cut in two. C. I have used clichés instead of fresh and
E. I have used more words than necessary. original phrases.
F. I still need to cut out the unnecessary words or D. I tend to use passive verbs, everyday
sentences. nouns and adjectives, and interesting adverbs.
G. I have some fragments and/or run-ons. E. I rarely experiment with vocabulary.

1-2 My sentences need work. It is a challenge to read 1-2 My piecer doesn’t show the real me. I’m not
aloud. comfortable sharing what I truly think and feel.
A. It is clear that I have not yet read this paper aloud. A. It could be hard to tell who wrote this; the
B. I’m having a hard time telling where one sentence reader can’t hear my voice.
stops and another begins. B. I hide my true feelings.
C. The sentence patterns in my paper are so repetitive C. My paper is flat and lifeless.
they might put the reader to sleep.
D. I have so many fragments and run-ons that it is hard
to understand my ideas.

Key Question: Can you feel the words Key Question: Would I keep reading
and phrases flow together as you read? this paper if it were longer? MUCH
longer?