Self-Editing Pro: 7-Point Rubric (Writing)

Rubric map — score 0 to 3 each

Total out of 21.
18 to 21 strong, 15 to 17 solid, 12 to 14 needs targeted fixes.

1) Purpose Match

• Ask: does every paragraph answer the question
• 0 off topic, 1 partly, 2 mostly, 3 fully with balance
• Quick fix: add a claim line that names the task focus.

2) Idea Architecture

• Ask: clear topic sentences and one idea per paragraph
• 0 list of points, 1 mixed ideas, 2 clear order, 3 clean logic with mini conclusions
• Quick fix: start each body with claim then reason.

3) Evidence and Specificity

• Ask: concrete example or condition supports each reason
• 0 vague, 1 generic, 2 specific, 3 precise with scope or numbers
• Quick fix: add a small number or condition line.

4) Cohesion and Reference

• Ask: varied linkers, grammar links, this or these to avoid repeats
• 0 choppy, 1 overuse of however, 2 varied, 3 seamless with reference chains
• Quick fix: swap one linker for a grammar link or semicolon.

5) Sentence Quality and Range

• Ask: mix of simple and complex with control
• 0 fragments or run ons, 1 many errors, 2 minor slips, 3 accurate variety
• Quick fix: split long lines into two clear sentences.

6) Word Choice and Tone

• Ask: precise, natural, band-safe vocabulary
• 0 formalese, 1 mixed, 2 mostly clean, 3 flexible and concise
• Quick fix: change utilize to use, in order to to to, due to the fact that to because.

7) Accuracy and Mechanics

• Ask: articles, plurals, agreement, punctuation
• 0 frequent errors, 1 regular, 2 occasional, 3 rare
• Quick fix: run an articles pass the, a, an and check plural s or es.

Repair playbook — one tool per rubric

Before → After — short upgrades

1. Vague claim

• 6: Cities should widen roads because traffic is bad.
• 7: Cities should fund protected bike lanes to cut short car trips.
• 8: In dense centers, protected bike lanes shift two to five kilometer trips from cars, easing peak traffic at lower cost.

1. Weak evidence

• 6: Online study helps many people.
• 7: Online courses help shift workers who need flexible hours.
• 8: In firms with rotating shifts, recorded lectures raise completion rates for new staff.

1. Wordy line

• 6: In order to solve this problem, the council commenced a plan.
• 7: To solve this problem, the council started a plan.
• 8: The council launched a pilot on two routes to test impact.

4-minute end check

• Minute 1 Purpose: add or sharpen the claim line in each body.
• Minute 2 Evidence: add one number or condition to the weakest paragraph.
• Minute 3 Cohesion: delete one redundant linker and add one reference word this trend, these measures.
• Minute 4 Mechanics: scan articles and plural or past endings.

Ready lines you can paste

• Balance: On balance, this works when budgets are tight and trips are short.
• Condition: This approach is effective if services run every ten minutes.
• Contrast: While costs rise at first, long term savings appear in maintenance.
• Result: As a result, households change short journeys quickly.

Find and replace clinic

• in order to → to
• due to the fact that → because
• a lot of → many or much
• very important → essential
• make a decision → decide
• give an explanation → explain

Reference chains that reduce repetition

this policy, these costs, such measures, this trend, these results, the former, the latter

Model: Costs rose in 2022. This trend slowed in 2023 as demand fell.

Paragraph blueprint that grades well

Claim line that answers the task.
Reason 1 with a concrete example.
Reason 2 with a limit or condition.
Mini conclusion that links back to the question.

Self-score sheet — print and use

Draft title: ___________________   Date: __________ 1 Purpose Match      0 1 2 3 2 Idea Architecture  0 1 2 3 3 Evidence & Specific 0 1 2 3 4 Cohesion & Reference 0 1 2 3 5 Sentence Quality   0 1 2 3 6 Word Choice & Tone 0 1 2 3 7 Accuracy & Mechanics 0 1 2 3 Total ____ / 21 Next draft edits: 1 ______________________________ 2 ______________________________ 3 ______________________________

Weekly loop

Day 1 score two old drafts with the rubric.
Day 3 rewrite one paragraph to lift one point in Evidence.
Day 5 run a timed essay and apply the 4-minute end check.
Day 7 compare totals and save one before and after pair.

Use the rubric every time you finish a draft. Small, repeatable fixes compound into cleaner logic, sharper evidence, and higher bands.