ESSAY RUBRIC
A. Command of Topic
5 Essay addresses the assignment, demonstrating creativity and both familiarity with pertinent critical issues and independent thought.
4 Essay addresses the assignment, both topic and strategies.
3 Subject is clear-although the essay misses some element of the assigned topic and/or strategies.
2 Subject is generally clear but not in keeping with the assigned topic and/or strategies.
1 Essay is not in keeping with the assigned topic and/or strategies.
B. Argumentative Development
5 Essay shows especially careful development of related ideas in coherent, sequential paragraphs.
4 Essay shows careful development of related ideas in coherent, sequential paragraphs.
3 Sequence of ideas is traceable-although paragraphing and structure are faulty.
2 Essay relies on unrelated generalizations, vague arguments, and uncertain information.
1 Essay is not coherent, showing little development of or relationship among ideas.
C. Organization
5 Student had edited the essay, ensuring that sentences are forceful and clear and logical.
4 While the student has edited the essay, some tangential ideas, unassimilated quotations, needless summary, and organizational flaws remain.
3 Incomplete editing is evident in excess (summary, unassimilated ideas and accessory information) and absence (support, transitions, flow).
2 Faulty editing shows in flawed sequence of ideas.
1 Student has neglected to edit the paper for content or paragraph construction.
D. Language and style
5 Student has edited the language of the essay avoiding gratuitous abstraction, tortuously convoluted sentences and purple passages. Word choice is generally free from errors.
4 While the student has edited the language of the essay, moderate stylistic and formal flaws and inappropriate usages remain. Word choice presents a few errors.
3 Incomplete editing is evident in moderate stylistic weaknesses. Word choice presents an accumulation of errors.
2 Faulty editing shows in serious stylistic weaknesses. Word choice presents numerous errors
1 The essay is stylistically inappropriate. Serious and persistent errors in word choice.
E. Control of Mechanics (spelling, punctuation)
5 Essay is generally free from errors in mechanics.
4 Essay may have a few errors in mechanics.
3 Essay has an accumulation of errors in mechanics.
2 Essay is marred by numerous errors in mechanics.
1 Essay has serious and persistent errors in mechanics.