Name______________________

Grade 4 Rubric for Opinion Writing

Exceeding Standard
(4)
Focus/
Opinion

At Standard
(3)

Date_______________________

Approaching Standard
(2)

Below Standard
(1)

States an opinion that demonstrates States an opinion that demonstrates an

an insightful understanding of
understanding of topic/text
topic/text

States an opinion that demonstrates

Does not state an opinion and/or
limited understanding of topic/text
demonstrates little to no
understanding of topic/text

Organizes ideas and information into Organizes ideas and information into
purposeful, coherent paragraphs
logical introductory, body, and
that include an elaborated
concluding paragraphs
introduction with clear thesis,
structured body, and insightful
conclusion
Uses linking words and phrases
appropriately to connect reasons to
Uses linking words, phrases, and
opinion
clauses skillfully to connect reasons

Organizes ideas and information in an Does not organize ideas and

attempted paragraph structure that
information coherently due to
includes a sense of introduction,
lack of paragraph structure
body and conclusion
and/or a missing introduction,
body, or conclusion

W 1a
W1b
W-4
Organization

W 1a
W 1c
W 1d
W4

Support/
Evidence
RIT 1
W 1b
W 9b
Language
L1
L2

to opinion
Supports opinion skillfully with
substantial and relevant facts,
details, and/or reasons
Provides insightful
explanation/analysis of how
evidence supports opinion

Supports opinion with relevant facts,

details, and/or reasons
Provides clear explanation/ analysis of
how evidence supports opinion

Uses purposeful, correct, and varied Uses correct and varied sentence
sentence structures
structures
Demonstrates creativity and
Demonstrates grade level appropriate
flexibility when using conventions
conventions; errors are minor and do
(grammar, punctuation,
not obscure meaning
capitalization, and spelling) to
enhance meaning
Uses precise and sophisticated
Uses academic and domain-specific
academic and domain-specific
vocabulary appropriate for the
vocabulary appropriate for the
audience and purpose
audience and purpose

Created byWCPSS ELA Common Core Focus Group

Uses some linking words and/or

phrases to connect reasons to
opinion but simplistically

Uses no linking words or phrases

Supports opinion with minimal and/or Does not support opinion with
irrelevant facts, details, and/or
facts, details, and/or reasons
reasons
Provides some explanation/ analysis Provides no or inaccurate
explanation/analysis of how
of how evidence supports opinion
evidence supports opinion
Uses some repetitive yet correct
Does not demonstrate sentence
sentence structure
mastery
Demonstrates some grade level
Demonstrates limited
appropriate conventions, but errors
understanding of grade level
obscure meaning
appropriate conventions, and
errors interfere with the
meaning
Uses limited academic and/or domain- Uses no academic or domainspecific vocabulary for the
specific vocabulary
audience and purpose

Rev. 2.14.13