modification

Persuasive Essay Rubric (ENGL 102)

Criteria

Ratings

Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThesis

20 percent - Thesis indicates original and engaging argument with evidence of development strategy. Nuanced response to assignment. 17 percent - Thesis competent but lacks originality. Good response to assignment. 14 percent - Thesis too broad or lacks well-defined position. Adequate understanding of assignment. 12 percent - Thesis unclear and vague. May not fully respond to assignment. 0 percent - No controlling idea. Poor or mistaken response to assignment.

20.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization

16 percent - Sequence of ideas is consistently clear, logical, and relevant to thesis. Paragraphs unified; transitions effective. 13 percent - Sequence of ideas reasonably clear and logical, although parts of argument may not be explicitly connected or may digress. Paragraphs reasonably coherent but could be better connected. 11 percent - Ideas could be more logically arranged. Significant parts may not explicitly advance thesis. Paragraphs not tightly unified or well related to each other. 9 percent - Lacks a complete organizational structure. Structure changes or ends before the conclusion. 0 percent - No clear sense of an evolving argument or logical arrangement of ideas; haphazard. Paragraphs may be incoherent, undeveloped, and unrelated.

16.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSupport/Development

16 percent - Complete mastery of text. Assertions supported with well‐chosen textual evidence. Appropriate quotations with necessary and full explication. 13 percent - Good understanding of text. Sufficient but predictable textual evidence. Good use of support/quotation but too many or too few and/or lacking careful explication. 11 percent - Adequate but predictable understanding of basic ideas in text. Insufficient use of textual evidence. Quotations/support insufficient, ill‐chosen, misplaced, or lacking explication. 9 percent - Insufficient understanding of text. Little useful textual evidence for an argument. Lacks appropriate support/quotations or quotes heavily without purpose or explication. 0 percent - Misses the point of the text. Lacks support for claims. Essay is incomplete. Inappropriate quotations (or none at all), and support not integrated in the essay. No clear plan.

16.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeResearch/Documentation

16 percent - Effective integration and documentation of ideas and sources. 13 percent - Well-integrated and documented ideas and sources. 11 percent - Awkward integration of ideas and sources; documentation reflects some errors. 9 percent - Ideas and sources reflect numerous errors in documentation. 0 percent - Poor or missing integration and documentation of sources.

16.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDiction & Tone

16 percent - Distinctive word choice; approach to material greatly enhances argument with intended audience. 13 percent - Appropriate word choice. Effective awareness of intended audience. 11 percent - Inconsistent choice of words. Portions of the essay interfere with comprehension of intended audience. 9 percent - A pattern of using words inappropriately and/or may show little awareness of intended audience. 0 percent - Frequent misuse of words. Ignores needs of intended audience.

16.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar/Mechanics

16 percent - Presents ideas in well-crafted, varied, engaging, and virtually error-free sentences. 13 percent - Conveys ideas with effective and varied sentence structure. Few errors at word and sentence level. 11 percent - Clear but basic expression of ideas—little variation in sentence form; some errors at word and sentence level. 9 percent - Many basic errors at word and sentence level, but sense of ideas conveyed. 0 percent - Multiple errors in arrangement, punctuation, and sentence structure undermine sense—incoherent.

16.0 pts