five to 6 pges about fourth of july writing.
Rubric for Primary Source Essays Course: Survey United States History I - HIST-2010-D04
/ 15
Criteria Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Criterion Score
Thesis Statement 15 points
Contains a clear and
provable thesis that
fully answers the essay
question.
Thesis is located at the
end of the
introductory
paragraph.
Thesis is free of
awkward or unclear
phrases.
12 points
Contains a reasonable
thesis that fully
addresses the essay
question.
Thesis is located at the
end of the
introductory
paragraph.
10 points
Attempts a thesis, but
may not fully address
the essay question.
Thesis may not appear
in the introduction.
Thesis may contain
unclear language that
makes it hard to
understand.
Thesis may offer an
argument that the
student cannot fully
prove with the
evidence from our
course.
7 points
Does not attempt a
thesis.
/ 25
Criteria Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Criterion Score
Analysis 25 points
Every single paragraph
offers clear and
reasonable analysis
that directly supports
the thesis.
Every single paragraph
synthesizes available
evidence to support
thesis.
Contains original ideas
that are fully
developed.
Free of serious factual
errors.
23 points
Most paragraphs offer
clear and reasonable
analysis that directly
supports the thesis.
Connects some
evidence to thesis.
Offers original ideas.
Largely free of factual
errors or
generalizations
18 points
Attempts some
analysis.
May rely on annotated
lists or summaries of
available sources.
May discuss topics
that are not connected
to the thesis.
May contain more
quoted information
than analysis.
May make some
factual errors.
15 points
Does not analyze its
information. Essay
may be driven forward
by opinion statements.
May consist of
randomly chosen
information with no
explanation and
minimal connection to
the paper assignment.
May make numerous
factual errors that
contradict our readings
and our discussion
forums.
/ 25
Criteria Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Criterion Score
Evidence 25 points
Carefully selects a
variety of evidence
from all available
readings that best
support its thesis.
Uses the required
number of sources
specified in
assignment.
Always explains the
evidence and connects
it to the thesis. Every
body paragraph
contains significant
evidence.
23 points
Includes evidence from
available sources.
Uses the required
number of sources
specified in
assignment.
Includes significant
evidence that supports
its thesis.
Explains most of the
evidence it cites.
18 points
Incorporates some
evidence. May rely
heavily on few sources
or does not meet the
requirement for
sources.
May use block quotes
(i.e. a quote over two
sentences long)
May not fully explain
the evidence it cites.
15 points
Does not contain
sufficient evidence.
May only use a single
source or no sources.
May consist largely of
block quotes (i.e. a
quote over two
sentences long).
May not explain the
evidence it cites.
May not provide page
numbers for citations.
/ 15
Criteria Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Criterion Score
Organization 15 points
Contains a powerful
introduction and
conclusion that avoid
generalizations or
overly broad
statements (such as
"throughout history..."
All body paragraphs
contain topic
sentences.
Each body paragraph
contains only
information that
relates to the topic
sentence.
Free of repetition.
12 points
Organized into
paragraphs of similar
length.
Contains a developed
introduction and
conclusion.
Most body paragraphs
contain topic
sentences.
Most body paragraphs
contain only
information that
relates to the topic
sentence.
A few paragraphs may
be hard to follow.
Largely free of
repetition.
10 points
Organized into
paragraphs.
Contains an
introduction and
conclusion.
Some body paragraphs
contain topic
sentences.
Paragraphs often
contain content that
does not relate to the
topic sentence.
Paragraph length may
vary significantly.
Some paragraphs may
be hard to follow.
May jump from topic
to topic.
May be repetitive.
7 points
Contains serious flaws
in organization, such
as:
Not organized into
paragraphs.
Missing an
introduction or
conclusion.
The paragraphs are
only a few sentences
long.
Does not use topic
sentences.
Hard to follow.
Jumps suddenly from
topic to topic.
Frequently repetitive.
No bibliography.
/ 15
Criteria Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Criterion Score
Writing 15 points
Shows clear command
of the English language
and college-level
writing.
Contains no significant
typos, spelling or
grammar errors.
Free of awkward
language, poor choice
of words, or unclear
phrasing.
Employs college-level
language and
understands every
single word it uses.
The essay is free of
overly long, bulky
sentences.
The essay could be
read and understood
by anyone at MTSU.
12 points
Shows a firm grasp of
English language and
college-level writing.
Contains only minor
and infrequent typos,
spelling errors, and
grammatical mistakes.
Contains only a few
instances of awkward
language, poor choice
of words, or unclear
phrasing.
The essay employs
college-level language.
The essay could be
read and understood
by anyone at MTSU.
10 points
Needs significant
revision.
Contains spelling
errors.
Contains grammatical
errors.
Sometimes unclear or
incoherent.
Misuses words.
May be hard to
understand for an
outside reader.
7 points
Has serious and
consistent flaws.
Contains numerous
spelling errors.
Contains numerous
grammatical errors
Often unclear or
incoherent.
Total / 100
/ 5
Criteria Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Criterion Score
Outstanding Effort 5 points
These five points are
reserved for essays
that meet all the
requirements and
formatting
specifications of the
assignment as well as
the criteria of above
categories for full
points in each criteria.
These five points for
outstanding effort are
awarded to essays that
show originality by:
creative writing
techniques, and/or
synthesis of course
materials and content,
or concise and
thorough historical
writing. These essays
go beyond the criteria
for an A on the essay.
0 points 0 points 0 points
Overall Score
Level 4 95 points minimum
Level 3 82 points minimum
Level 2 66 points minimum
Level 1 51 points minimum