Grade 5 Opinion Writing Rubric

Advanced Meets Approaches Not Yet

4 (Distinguished) 3 (Effective) 2 (Approaching) 1 (Not Meeting)
Focus/Information Responds skillfully to all parts of Responds to all parts of prompt. Responds to most parts of Responds to few or no parts of
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, prompt. States opinion that demonstrates prompt. prompt.
supporting point of view with reasons and information. States opinion, argument, or claim understanding of topic or text(s). States opinion that demonstrates Does not state opinion and/or
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1a: Introduce topics or texts clearly, state that demonstrates insightful limited understanding of topic or demonstrates little to no
opinions, and create organizational structures in which ideas are understanding of topic or text(s). text(s). understanding of topic or text(s).
logically grouped to support writers purpose.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1b: Provide logically ordered reasons
supported by facts and details.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in
which development and organization are appropriate to tasks,
purposes, and audiences.
Organization Organizes ideas and information Organizes ideas and information Organizes ideas and information Does not organize ideas and
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, into purposeful, coherent into logical introductory, body, in attempted paragraph structure information coherently due to lack
supporting point of view with reasons and information. paragraphs that include and concluding paragraphs. that includes sense of intro- of paragraph structure and/or
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1a: Introduce topics or texts clearly, state elaborated introduction with clear Uses linking words, phrases, and duction, body, and conclusion. missing introduction, body, or
opinions, and create organizational structures in which ideas are thesis, structured body, and clauses appropriately to connect Uses some linking words, phrases, conclusion.
logically grouped to support writers purpose. insightful conclusion. reasons to opinion. or clauses to connect reasons to Does not use linking words,
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1c: Link opinions and reasons using words, Uses variety of linking words, opinion but simplistically. phrases, or clauses.
phrases, and clauses (e.g., consequently, specifically). phrases, and clauses skillfully to
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1d: Provide concluding statements or connect reasons to opinion,
sections related to opinions presented. argument, or claim.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in
which development and organization are appropriate to tasks,
purposes, and audiences.
Development with Support/Evidence Supports opinion skillfully with Supports opinion with sufficient Supports opinion with minimal Does not support opinion with
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, substantial and relevant evidence. and relevant evidence. and/or irrelevant facts, details, evidence, and/or evidence is
supporting point of view with reasons and information. Provides insightful explanation/ Provides clear explanation/ and/or reasons. irrelevant or inaccurate.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1b: Provide logically ordered reasons analysis of how evidence supports analysis of how evidence supports Provides some Provides inaccurate or no
supported by facts and details. opinion. opinion. explanation/analysis of how explanation/analysis of how
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.9: Draw evidence from literary or informational evidence supports opinion. evidence supports opinion.
texts to support analyses, reflection, and research.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.9b: Apply grade 5 reading standards to
informational texts (e.g., Explain how an author uses reasons and
evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons
and evidence support which point[s]).
Language/Conventions Uses purposeful and varied Uses correct and varied sentence Uses some repetitive yet correct Uses few to no correct sentence
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.1: Demonstrate command of conventions of sentence structures. structures. sentence structures. structures.
standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. Demonstrates creativity and Demonstrates grade-level Demonstrates some grade-level Demonstrates limited
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.2: Demonstrate command of conventions of flexibility when using conventions appropriate conventions; errors appropriate conventions, but understanding of grade-level
standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when (i.e., grammar, punctuation, are minor and do not obscure errors obscure meaning and appropriate conventions, and
writing. capitalization, spelling) to enhance meaning and readability. readability. errors interfere with meaning and
meaning and readability. Uses academic and domain- Uses limited academic and/or readability.
Uses precise and sophisticated specific vocabulary appropriate domain-specific vocabulary for Does not use academic or domain-
academic and domain-specific for audience and purpose. audience and purpose. specific vocabulary.
vocabulary appropriate for
audience and purpose.

Denver Public Schools/Adapted from EGUSD CCSSCommon Core State Standards alignment (WWriting strand, RIReading Informational Text strand, LLanguage strand)