Rubric for FCAT Florida Writes

6 Points. The writing is focused and purposeful, and it reflects insight into the writing situation. The organizational pattern provides for a logical progression of ideas. Effective use of transitional devices contributes to a sense of completeness. The development of support is substantial, specific, relevant, and concrete. The writer shows commitment to and involvement with the subject and may use creative writing strategies. The writing demonstrates a mature command of language with freshness of expression. Sentence structure is varied, and few, if any, convention errors occur in mechanics, usage, punctuation, and spelling.

5 Points. The writing is focused on the topic, and its organizational pattern provides for a logical progression of ideas. Effective use of transitional devices contributes to a sense of completeness. The support is developed through ample use of specific details and examples. The writing demonstrates a mature command of language, and there is variation in sentence structure. The response generally follows the conventions of mechanics, usage, punctuation, and spelling.

4 Points. The writing is focused on the topic and includes few if any, loosly related ideas. An organizational pattern is apparent, and it is strengthened by the use of transitional devices. The support is consistently developed, but it may lack specificity. Word choice is adequate, and variation in sentence structure is demonstrated. The response generally follows the conventions of mechanics, usage, punctuation, and spelling.

3 Points. The writing is focused but may contain ideas that are loosely related to the topic. An organizational pattern is demonstrated, but the response may lack a logical progression of ideas. Development of support is uneven. Word choice is adequate, and some variation in sentence structure is demonstrated. The response generally follows the conventions of mechanics, usage, punctuation, and spelling.

2 Points. The writing addresses the topic but may los focus by including extraneous or loosely related ideas. The organizational pattern usually includes a beginning, middle and ending, but these elements may be brief. The development of support may be erratic and nonspecific, and ideas may be repeated. Word choice may be limited, predictable, or vague. Errors may occur in the basic conventions of sentence structure, mechanics, usage, and punctuation, but commonly used words are usually spelled correctly.

1 Point. The writing addresses the topic but may lose focus by including extraneous or loosely related ideas. The response may have an organizational pattern, but it may lack a sense of completeness or closure. There is little, if any, development of supporting ideas, and the support may consist of generalizations or fragmentary lists. Limited or inappropriate word choice may obsecure meaning. Frequent and blatant errors may occur in basic conventions of sentence structure, mechanics, usage, and punctuation, and commonly used words may be misspelled.