Rubric Made Using:

RubiStar ( http://rubistar.4teachers.org )

CATEGORY

4 - Above Standards

3 - Meets Standards

2 - Approaching Standards

1 - Below Standards

Score

Attention Grabber

The introductory paragraph has a strong hook or attention grabber that is appropriate for the audience. This could be a strong statement, a relevant quotation, statistic, or question addressed to the reader.

The introductory paragraph has a hook or attention grabber, but it is weak, rambling or inappropriate for the audience.

The author has an interesting introductory paragraph but the connection to the topic is not clear.

The introductory paragraph is not interesting AND is not relevant to the topic.

 

Position Statement

The position statement provides a clear, strong statement of the author\\'s position on the topic.

The position statement provides a clear statement of the author\\'s position on the topic.

A position statement is present, but does not make the author\\'s position clear.

There is no position statement.

 

Focus or Thesis Statement

The thesis statement names the topic of the essay and outlines the main points to be discussed.

The thesis statement names the topic of the essay.

The thesis statement outlines some or all of the main points to be discussed but does not name the topic.

The thesis statement does not name the topic AND does not preview what will be discussed.

 

Support for Position

Includes 3 or more pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement. The writer anticipates the reader\\'s concerns, biases or arguments and has provided at least 1 counter-argument.

Includes 3 or more pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement.

Includes 2 pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement.

Includes 1 or fewer pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences).

 

Evidence and Examples

All of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author\\'s position.

Most of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author\\'s position.

At least one of the pieces of evidence and examples is relevant and has an explanation that shows how that piece of evidence supports the author\\'s position.

Evidence and examples are NOT relevant AND/OR are not explained.

 

Sequencing

Arguments and support are provided in a logical order that makes it easy and interesting to follow the author\\'s train of thought.

Arguments and support are provided in a fairly logical order that makes it reasonably easy to follow the author\\'s train of thought.

A few of the support details or arguments are not in an expected or logical order, distracting the reader and making the essay seem a little confusing.

Many of the support details or arguments are not in an expected or logical order, distracting the reader and making the essay seem very confusing.

 

Closing paragraph

The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader solidly understanding the writer\\'s position. Effective restatement of the position statement begins the closing paragraph.

The conclusion is recognizable. The author\\'s position is restated within the first two sentences of the closing paragraph.

The author\\'s position is restated within the closing paragraph, but not near the beginning.

There is no conclusion - the paper just ends.

 

Sources

All sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and cited correctly.

All sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and most are cited correctly.

Most sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and cited correctly.

Many sources are suspect (not credible) AND/OR are not cited correctly.

 

Grammar & Spelling

Author makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Author makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Author makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Author makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

 

Capitalization & Punctuation

Author makes no errors in capitalization or punctuation, so the essay is exceptionally easy to read.

Author makes 1-2 errors in capitalization or punctuation, but the essay is still easy to read.

Author makes a few errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader\\'s attention and interrupt the flow.

Author makes several errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader\\'s attention and interrupt the flow.