Six Trait Writing Rubric

Ideas & Content

• main theme
• supporting details
Exceptionally clear, focused, engaging, interesting; Supported with relevant, strong details, Cohesively stated; forcefully argued; Insightful

Organization

• structure
• introduction/body/conclusion
Effectively organized in logical and creative manner; Creative and engaging intro and conclusion; A perfect fit with topic, purpose, audience

Voice

• personality
• sense of audience
Expressive, engaging, sincere; Strong sense of audience; Shows emotion, humor, honesty, suspense for life; Lively, energetic-individual as fingerprints

Word Choice

• precision
• effectiveness
• vivid imagery
Precise, carefully chosen, 
strong, fresh, vivid images
, accurate, striking, original- sometimes quotable

Sentence Fluency

• rhythm, flow
• variety
High degree of craftsmanship; Effective variation of sentence patterns; Smooth, easy to read with expression

Conventions

• spelling, caps, punctuation, grammar
Exceptionally strong control of standard writing conventions
; No editing needed; No glaring errors

Summary of traits adapted from http://englisheight.edublogs.org