A practical paragraph-writing rubric
See a worked example, write your own paragraph and use a checklist to improve your draft.
How this practice helps you
- See a concrete before-and-after improvement.
- Keep separate drafts for six workshop prompts.
- Revise your draft with a focused self-review checklist.
The craft behind the words.
Review five dimensions: focus, support, organisation, language and revision. Rate each 0 (not yet), 1 (partly), or 2 (clearly). The result is a self-review guide, not an exam grade.
Skills to work on in this practice
- Develop one clear main point
- Support it with a specific example
- Revise with a practical checklist
See what changes.
My paragraph has many ideas. I cannot say which one matters most.
My paragraph makes one main claim. Each supporting sentence develops that claim, and a specific example shows what I mean.
Before assigning a score, point to evidence in your own paragraph. If you cannot identify a clear main claim, start there rather than correcting every comma.
Make a little space for your ideas.
Review a paragraph you have already written. For each criterion, score 0 (not yet), 1 (partly) or 2 (clearly), and point to a sentence as evidence. Choose one criterion to improve.
Review your work
Your writing stays in this browser. This workspace supports self-review; it does not automatically grade your paragraph.
Good writing grows through revision.
Compare your choices with an annotated model, then return to your own paragraph with one improvement in mind.
Paragraph writing rubric: 0–2 per criterion
| Criterion | 0: not yet | 1: partly | 2: clear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | No identifiable main point | Main point is broad or shifts | One specific main point |
| Support | Claims lack relevant detail | Some detail but little explanation | Relevant detail is explained |
| Organisation | Ideas are hard to follow | Order is mostly logical | Sentences develop a connected point |
| Language | Errors often obscure meaning | Meaning is clear despite errors | Language and punctuation support clear meaning |
| Revision | No review evidence | One change with unclear purpose | A deliberate improvement is explained |
Add the five scores for a maximum of 10. Use the lowest criterion to choose your next revision. This is a self-review tool, not an examination grade.
Make this your practice session
Choose the time you have. These are suggested study plans, not timers.
Write one focused paragraph
Choose one prompt. Write a first draft and check whether every sentence supports the main point.
Open the first writing task →30 MINDraft, compare, improve
Complete two prompts. Use the five-point checklist to revise each draft before marking it reviewed.
Choose your writing tasks →60 MINBuild a small writing portfolio
Work through four prompts, allowing time for revision. Each task keeps its own draft in this browser.
Open the six-task workshop →Looking for a specific answer?
Questions learners ask
Open the question that matches where you got stuck.
How do I use a paragraph-writing rubric fairly?
Point to a sentence or omission as evidence for each score. Score the work against the criterion, not against how hard you worked. Choose the weakest area for one specific revision, then reassess it.
Does 10 out of 10 mean an exam-grade paragraph?
No. This ten-point rubric is a practice tool with five criteria, not an exam-board mark scheme. A high self-review score does not validate the argument, sources or language; check the actual assignment requirements too.
Put this into practice
Choose one of six guided tasks. Save a separate draft for each, review it, then move to the next challenge.
Open the six-task writing workshop →