sociology paper

Rubric for Narrative Essay Final Paper

Maximum: 30 points

5 4 3 2

INTRODUCTION

and CONCLUSION

(Background

History/Thesis

Statement)

There is a well-developed

introduction with an attention

grabber that captures the reader’s

interest and continues to engage the

reader up until the thesis statement.

The thesis statement should clearly

state the experience or event that

will be described as well as the

effect on the writer. Conclusion

should effectively summarize and

reinforce the importance of the

thesis.

Introduction creates

interest. Thesis states

the position.

Conclusion effectively

summarizes the topic.

Introduction

adequately explains

the background, but

may lack detail.

Thesis states the

topic, but key

elements are

missing

Background details are

a random, unclear

collection of

information. Thesis is

vague and unclear.

Conclusion is not

effective and does not

summarize main points.

MAIN POINTS

(Body Paragraphs)

Well developed main points/topic

sentences that relate directly to the

thesis. Supporting examples are

concrete and detailed. The narrative

is developed with an effective point

of view. Directly addresses the

prompt.

Three or more main

points relate to the

thesis, but some may

lack details. The

narrative shows events

from the author’s point

of view, but could use

more descriptive

language.

Three or more main

points are present,

but lack important

details. Little

descriptive

language is used.

Less than three

ideas/main points are

explained and/or they

are poorly developed.

The story tells; it

doesn’t show. The

author recounts even

without providing

context.

ORGANIZATION

(Structure and

Transitions)

Logical progression of ideas with a

clear structure that enhances the

thesis. Transitions are effective and

vary throughout the paragraph, not

just in the topic sentences.

Logical progression of

ideas. Transitions are

present throughout the

essay, but lacks variety.

Organization is

clear. Transitions

are present at times,

but there is very

little variety.

Writing is not

organized. The

transitions between

ideas are unclear or non

existent.

STYLE

(Sentence Flow,

Variety, Diction)

Writing is smooth, skillful, and

coherent. Sentences are strong and

expressive with varied structure.

Diction is consistent and words are

well chosen.

Writing is clear and

sentences have varied

structure, Diction is

consistent.

Writing is clear, but

could use a little

more variety in

sentence steucture

to make the writing

more interesting.

Writing is confusing

and hard to follow.

Contains fragments

and/or run-on sentences.

MECHANICS

(Spelling, Punctuation,

Capitalization)

Punctuation, spelling, and

capitalization are all correct. No

errors.

Punctuation, spelling,

and capitalization are

generally correct with

few errors (1-2)

There are only a

few (3-4) errors in

punctuation,

spelling, and

capitalization.

Distracting errors in

punctuation, spelling,

and capitalization.

FORMAT

(APA)

7 double-spaced pages, Cover page,

Reference list, APA format

1 error 2-3 errors 4 or more errors