What is organization?

Organization is the trait that helps to keep the reader moving through the writing in a purposeful way. If a paper is well organized, the opening should get the reader interested and draw him in. The writing should build to the most interesting part. Ideas should be connected together and build on one another. You will see connecting words and transitions between ideas such as: afterward, throughout, eventually, however, etc. When a writer has a strong organization, the ending should have an impact on the reader and leave him thinking.

What is the organization rubric and how do I use it to evaluate my child's writing?

Click here to learn how to use a rubric.

Directions

  1. Read through the rubric below.
  2. Read Sample Paper 1.
  3. Use the rubric to evaluate the sample paper 1. Based on the rubric, decide for yourself what the score should be.
  4. Then view the score and rationale for the paper to see if you were correct.
  5. It may be helpful to print off the rubric to have next to you as you read the story.
  6. Repeat the process for Sample Paper 2.

 

 

Organization Rubric

5 – Paper: Clear and Compelling Direction
I’ve chosen an order that words well and makes the reader want to find out what’s coming next.

· My beginning gets the reader’s attention and gives clues about what is coming.
· Every detail adds a little more to the main idea or story.
· All my details are in the right place; everything fits like a puzzle.
· I ended at a good spot and didn’t drag on too long. I left my reader with something to think about.

3 – Paper: Some Really Smooth Parts, Others Need Work
The order of my story/paper makes sense most of the time.

· I have a beginning, but it really doesn’t grab you or give you clues about what is coming.
· Sometimes it is not clear how the details I have used connect to the main idea or story.
· Some of my details are in the right spot, but some should come earlier or later.
· I’ve lingered too long in some places, and sped through others.
· I have a conclusion, it just isn’t the way I want it yet. I may have gone on too long or just tried to sum up in a ho hum way

1 – Paper: Not Shaped Yet
The order in my paper is jumbled and confused. I’m feeling dizzy!

· There isn’t really a beginning or ending to my paper. It just kinda takes off.
· I’m confused about how the details fit with the main idea or story.
· My ideas seem scrambled, jumbled and disconnected. It’s confusing.
· Conclusion? Oops, I forgot.


 

 

Sample Paper 1

Grade level: 4-5

Airplans

Airplans are good for transportation. Only 3 plans in a year crash. Airplans do plot the air a lot more than 1000 cars a day. Airplans get lots of mail if we didn't airplans we'd have to wate for a day to mail from other country. They would have to go by boat. Airplans make 1000s for the government. When a plan crashes it killes lots of people and cost the state lot of money to get a new one.

Little airplans are for carriering things to people in. Jungles, plains, and hilles little plans can put out fires and they can find lost people.

Fighter plans kille fast the they can rech speeds upto 1000 mts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sample Paper 2

Grade level: 3rd

Does Healthy Foods Sound Disgusting?:
Does healthy foods sound disgusting? Well, they are not. Some fruits and vegatables are very tasty. There are carrots, corn, celery, potatoes, tomatoes, and lettuce, Grapes, apples, oranges, strawberries, peaches, and plums are good too. Yet fruits and vegatables aren’t the only health food. Breads such as muffins, bagels, loaves, rolls, waffles, and pancakes are good for you too. Meats and meat alternatives such as nuts, chicken, eggs, and fish are wholesome for you. Dairy products are immensely healthy for you. It’s still okay to eat ice cream and cake, but don’t eat them so often. Why should you eat healthy food? The problem is that if you eat junk food, you’re eating food you don’t’ need. Another thing that happens is that you can get very fat, but if you eat healthy food you won’t get fat very easily and get more energy. If you will be less popular, tell your friends that eating right is much better. To make sure you don’t go from cookies to carrot sticks too fast, here is a process to eat right. For breakfast some toast, eggs, fruit, milk, juice, and cereal. Donuts are not a good choice. At school for lunch juice or milk, sandwiches and a dessert is preferable. Candy, cookies, and soda isn’t the best thing. For snacks I recommend crackers, fruit vegatables, toast, maybe even dinner leftovers instead of cookies and milk. And of course at dinner try to eat everything your parents give you. If that doesn’t sound satisfying, I’ll give you a tip. Just because you choose to eat healthy food doesn’t mean you have to be a health nut. I mean I eat healthy food, but I also eat junk food. Just don’t eat so much junk food because if you do, you may have problems, so you may have a hard time making the transition by overdoing it and pushing yourself to be as think as a wire. Yet you can stop becoming a junk food addict and start eating healthy food, so if you want to stop being a junk food addict and eat healthy food then start eating right. The End.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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