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Paragraph Writing Rubric (Grades 2-5)
This rubric covers one paragraph of about five to seven sentences in grades 2 through 5. It is worth 20 points so the wording stays short enough to read aloud and post on the wall. Every level says what a reader can see on the page, so students can score their own paragraph before handing it in.
- Grades 2-5
- Subject ELA
- 20 points
- 5 criteria
- Free to copy, print and adapt
| Criterion | Exceeds | Meets | Approaching | Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topic Sentence4 points | 4 ptsThe first sentence names the topic and tells what the paragraph will say about it, and it is a full sentence rather than a question or a title. | 3 ptsThe first sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is about. | 2 ptsThere is a topic sentence, but it comes later in the paragraph instead of first. | 0-1 ptsThe paragraph starts with a detail, so the reader has to guess the topic. |
| Detail Sentences That Match the Topic5 points | 5 ptsThree or more detail sentences, each adding new information with a name, a number, or an example, and every one of them supports the topic sentence. | 4 ptsThree detail sentences that tell more about the topic, and all but one of them supports the topic sentence. | 2-3 ptsOnly one or two detail sentences, or two details give the same information twice, or one sentence wanders to a different topic. | 0-1 ptsNo detail sentences, or the paragraph switches to a new topic partway through and never comes back. |
| Order and Transition Words4 points | 4 ptsThe details are in an order the reader can follow, and at least two different transition words appear, such as First, Next, Also, or Finally. | 3 ptsThe details are in a sensible order and at least one transition word appears. | 2 ptsThe details are in order but no transition words appear, or "and" joins everything together. | 0-1 ptsThe sentences could be read in any order, because nothing shows the reader what comes first. |
| Closing Sentence3 points | 3 ptsThe last sentence tells the reader the paragraph is finished by saying the topic again in new words. | 2 ptsThe last sentence closes the paragraph instead of adding a brand-new detail. | 1 ptsThe last sentence copies the topic sentence word for word. | 0 ptsThe paragraph stops after the last detail with no closing sentence. |
| Capitals, Punctuation, and Spelling4 points | 4 ptsEvery sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with a punctuation mark, the sentences begin with different words, and no two sentences are run together. | 3 ptsEvery sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with a punctuation mark, with one or two spelling errors. | 2 ptsSome sentences are missing a capital or an end mark, or two sentences are joined with no punctuation between them. | 0-1 ptsMost sentences are missing capitals or end marks, so the reader cannot tell where one sentence stops and the next starts. |
Total: 20 points across 5 criteria.
How to use it
- Twenty points converts cleanly: multiply the score by 5 for a percentage, so each point is worth five percent.
- For grade 2, score only Topic Sentence, Detail Sentences, and Capitals and Punctuation and grade out of 13. Add Order and Closing once students are writing four or more sentences on their own.
- Read the paragraph once for meaning before marking anything. Surface errors make thin content look worse and strong content look sloppier than it is.
- Hand students this same sheet before they write, and have them number their detail sentences in the margin. That catches the two-details problem before you ever see the paper.
What students most often get wrong
- Writing a title such as "My Dog" as the topic sentence instead of a sentence with a verb in it.
- Copying the topic sentence word for word to make the closing sentence.
- Putting a brand-new detail in the last sentence, so the paragraph stops instead of closing.
Grade with this rubric, without retyping it
Scorae applies a rubric to student work in Google Docs, Canvas, Blackboard and Moodle, and drafts criterion-by-criterion feedback. You review and decide every grade — nothing is submitted for you. Student work is never stored.
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