Download Composing: Written Expression: Mechanics, Usage, and Grammar

Domain Writing Rubric
English 9 – K. Graves
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How will the teacher evaluate my writing? In order for you to know exactly what I will be looking for in
your writing for this class, here is a checklist of questions you should ask after writing anything to turn
in. Remember, all major writing assignments will be graded using this standard rubric, so make sure you
have tried to answer each question! Asking all of these questions during the revision stage of the
writing process will help you improve your writing!
GOAL: To show consistent control of the three writing domains.
Composing:
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Is the subject / central idea of my paper clear and focused?
Is everything in my paper about the subject?
Have I elaborated with examples and details that show the reader what happened?
Have I used transitional phrases (therefore, however, etc) to connect each idea?
Do I have a dynamic beginning, a unified middle, and a strong ending?
Written Expression:
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Does the reader hear my voice?
Is my tone / attitude clear and appropriate?
Is my use of vocabulary clear and specific?
Are my verbs active and dynamic? What are the verbs that I use more than three times
throughout the writing?
Have I used a variety of sentence patterns?
Do my words create vivid pictures that remain in the reader’s mind after they finish reading my
essay?
Have I used parallel structure?
Mechanics, Usage, and Grammar (MUG):
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Have I written in complete sentences (no fragments or run-ons)?
Are the verb tenses correct and consistent?
Is there subject-verb / pronoun-antecedent agreement?
Have I punctuated correctly (commas, semicolons, colons, quotation marks, and end
punctuation marks?)
Have I used capital letters correctly?
Have I indented each paragraph?
Have I correctly used and spelled each word?
Have I avoided overused words such as “a lot,” “very,” etc?
If my paper is formal, have I avoided contractions and abbreviations?