|
General Rubric
|
|
Criteria
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
|
Introduction
|
Hook/lead-in introduces the topic and is well-developed, creative, and interesting- and is between 100-125 wods
|
Hook/lead-in introduces the topic, is somewhat developed and adequate in length – 100 words
|
Hook/lead-in does not adequately introduce the topic or makes an announcement, and is between 75 and 100 words
|
Hook/lead-in does not adequately introduce the topic, or is not evident, or is less than 75 words or more than 125 words
|
|
Thesis
|
Thesis is the last sentence of the introduction, makes a point about the prompt, and sets up organization of the three body paragraphs with parallel structure.
|
Thesis statement is the last sentence of the paragraph; it makes a point about the prompt, but does not set up organization of the body paragraphs, or it is not parallel.
|
Thesis is not the last sentence of the paragraph; however, it makes a point about the prompt, and may or may not set up the organization of the essay, and may or may not be parallel.
|
Thesis makes an announcement, or there is no evident thesis statement.
|
|
First body paragraph
|
First body paragraph relates to the first point in thesis. This point is supported with relevant details. Details are richly developed with specific examples and/or reasons. Transitions are used appropriately. Between 100-125 words.
|
First body paragraph relates to the first point in the thesis and is supported with relevant details. However, the details are not fully developed. Transitions are mostly used appropriately. No less than 100 words
|
First body paragraph does not relate to a point in the thesis; however, it is sufficiently supported by details OR point from thesis is evident but paragraph goes off topic or is not adequately supported. Between 75-100 words
|
First body paragraph does not relate to thesis, and it does not have adequate development. Less than 75 or more than 125 words
|
|
Second body paragraph
|
Second body paragraph relates to the second point in thesis. This point is supported with relevant details. Details are richly developed with specific examples and/or reasons. Transitions are used appropriately.
|
Second body paragraph relates to second point in the thesis and is supported with relevant details. However, details are not fully developed. Transitions are mostly used appropriately. No less than 100 words.
|
Second body paragraph does not relate to a point in the thesis; however, it is sufficiently supported by details OR point from thesis is evident but paragraph goes off topic or is not adequately supported. Between 75-100 words
|
Second body paragraph does not relate to thesis, and it does not have adequate development. Less than 75 words or more than 125 words
|
|
Third Body paragraph
|
Third body paragraph relates to third point in thesis. This point is supported with relevant details. Details are richly developed with specific examples and/or reasons. Transitions are used appropriately. Between 100-125 words
|
Third body paragraph relates to third point in the thesis and is supported with relevant details. Details are not fully developed. Transitions are mostly used appropriately. No less than 100 words
|
Third body paragraph does not relate to a point in the thesis; however, it is sufficiently supported by details OR point from thesis is evident but paragraph goes off topic or is not adequately supported. Between 75-100 words
|
Third body paragraph does not relate to thesis, and it does not have adequate development. Less than 75 words or more than 125 words
|
|
Conclusion
|
Provides essay with a true sense of closure. The thesis is restated (not verbatim) and supporting points are summarized. Between 100-125 words
|
Essay is concluded but the point of the essay is not restated. Conclusion is at least 100 words
|
Essay is summed up, but new information is included or conclusion resembles the introduction too closely. Conclusion between 75-100 words
|
No conclusion paragraph or less than 75 words or more than 125 words
|
|
Organization
|
The essay follows the organizational pattern set by the thesis. One idea follows another in a logical sequence. Transitions are used and are appropriate. Paragraphs are logically organized and stay on topic
|
The essay mostly follows the organizational pattern set by thesis. One idea follows another in a logical sequence. When used, most transitions are used appropriately. Paragraphs may go off topic.
|
The essay is somewhat organized but does not follow the organizational pattern set by thesis. When used, transitions are sometimes unclear. Paragraphs may go off topic.
|
The essay is disorganized and confusing. Transitions are used inappropriately.
|
|
Sentence fluency
|
Sentences are clear, complete, and of varying lengths. No or minimal errors such as fragments, comma-splices, fused sentences, or subject verb agreement errors.
|
Sentences are clear and of varying lengths. Minimal errors in sentence construction do not interfere with writer’s ability to communicate.
|
Minimal variation in sentence structure. Sentences are often awkward, and/or contain run-ons and fragments, and subject verb agreement errors.
|
Persistent and pervasive run-ons, fragments and awkward phrasings make the essay hard to read.
|
|
Grammar and Mechanics
|
Errors in grammar, spelling, capitalization, and/or punctuation are few and insignificant and do not detract from the overall quality of the essay.
|
Occasional errors in grammar, spelling, capitalization, and/or punctuation, which may detract from the overall quality of the essay.
|
Errors in grammar, spelling, capitalization, and/or punctuation detract from the meaning and quality of the essay.
|
Essay demonstrates little command of grammar, spelling, capitalization and/or punctuation and contains too many errors; these detract from the meaning and quality of the essay.
|
|
Presentation
|
Essay has a heading that follows MLA formatting. It is double spaced and 12- point font has been used. The title is centered on the page. Paragraphs are appropriately indented. Essay has been saved with lastname_title and saved as either a word document or in rich text format
|
Essay has a heading, but it is missing one of the components. Title is centered, essay is double spaced and paragraphs are indented; 12-point font has been used; essay has not been saved correctly or is not in the correct file format.
|
Essay does not have appropriate heading; there is no title, or the title is not centered; essay is not correctly double spaced; or 12-point font was not used; essay is not saved correctly, or in the correct file format
|
Formatting does not conform to required MLA.
|