Self-Editing Pro: 7-Point Rubric (Writing)
Edit like an examiner. This 7-point rubric turns vague advice into clear checks, quick fixes, and score signals. Rate each draft 0 to 3 per area, apply the 4-minute end check, and copy the ready lines to repair weak parts fast. Examples show how a Band 6 line becomes 7 or 8. Print the scorecard, repeat weekly, and track trends so every rewrite is leaner, clearer, and closer to your target band.
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
| Rubric | 30-second test | Repair move |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Circle the question words. Does each paragraph reflect them | Add a claim that mirrors the question |
| Architecture | Read first sentences only. Do they form a story | Rewrite topic sentences as claims |
| Evidence | Underline because, for example, if | Add one number or a condition |
| Cohesion | Count however and therefore | Replace one with while, whereas or a semicolon |
| Sentences | Find any 25+ word line | Cut into two sentences with one idea each |
| Words | Highlight very, a lot of, make a decision | Swap to precise verbs or concise nouns |
| Mechanics | Scan line ends and -s, -ed | Fix articles, plural s, past endings t d ɪd |
Before → After — short upgrades
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.