Exploratary essay

Rubric for Exploratory Essay

· Introduction

· Starts with one question (and only one) that is controversial and has multiple viewpoints or answers

· Summarizes one article from class and clearly connects that article to the question that is posed – there must be some obvious link

Score out of 15 points______________

· Body and conclusion

· Contains at least four paragraphs (3 body, 1 conclusion)

· Each body paragraph contains an answer to your question in the form of a new source(s). The source must be making an argument

· A minimum of 2-4 different answers to your question are provided

· A conclusion that looks forward, offers the best answer, or asks further questions that relate to the research provided

Score out of 30 points______________

· Summary writing

· Each summary is coherent and identifies the main idea of the article OR how the article/authors answer YOUR question

· Enough details are provided to adequately understand the source, and the source has not been misread

· The summaries are free of personal bias

Score out of 20 points______________

· Details and organization

· The writer uses formal, academic language that fits the tone of the assignment

· Organization is coherent to help avoid confusing the reader; paragraphs have effective transitions from one idea to the next

· The essay is highly readable and understandable with a mastery of style

Score out of 15 points______________

· MLA, spelling, punctuation, editing, and minimum page requirements

· MLA formatting, in-text citations, and works cited are present and correct

· The writer has met the minimum page requirement of 4-5 pages

· Spelling, punctuation, and editing has been carefully attended to

Score out of 20 points______________

Total Score (Out of 100 Points) _______________________