Rubric Made Using:

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

CATEGORY

4 - Excellent

3 - Good

2 - Satisfactory

1 - Poor

Score

Introduction

The introductory paragraph catches the reader's attention very quickly. You can start by a strong statement, a relevant quotation, statistic, or question addressed to the reader.

The introductory paragraph catches the reader's attention, but but it is weak, it doesn't make the reader want to continue reading.

You have an interesting introductory paragraph but there is not clear connection to the topic.

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

5

Argumentation

You have a clear position on the topic. Your statement is strong.

Your position on the topic is clear.

You have a position statement, but your opinion is not clear.

There is no position statement.

5

Topic and theme

You state the topic of your essay nd outline the main point you will discuss.

You name the topic of the essay.

You name some or all of the main points to be discussed but you do not name the topic.

You do not name the topic and you do not preview what will be discussed.

5

Body

You include 3 or more pieces of evidence: facts, statistics, examples, real-life and / or experiences that support the position statement. You anticipate the reader's concerns, wonders or questions and you provide at least 1 counter-argument.

You include 3 or more pieces of evidence: facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences that support the position statement.

You includes 2 pieces of evidence: facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences that support the position statement.

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

15

Evidence and Examples

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

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

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

10

Accuracy

All the supportive facts and statistics are reported accurately.

Almost all supportive facts and statistics are reported accurately.

Most supportive facts and statistics are reported accurately.

Most supportive facts and statistics were inaccurately reported.

5

Logical order

You provide arguments and support in a logical order, making it easy and interesting to follow your train of thought.

Your arguments and support are provided in a fairly logical order that makes it reasonably easy to follow your 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.

5

Transitions

A variety of thoughtful transitions are used. They clearly show how ideas are connected

Transitions show how ideas are connected, but there is little variety

Some transitions work well, but some connections between ideas are fuzzy.

The transitions between ideas are unclear OR nonexistent.

5

Conclusion

The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader solidly understanding your position. Effective restatement of the position statement begins the closing paragraph.

The conclusion is recognizable. Your position is restated within the first two sentences of the closing paragraph.

Your position is restated within the closing paragraph, but not near the beginning.

There is no conclusion - the paper just ends.

10

Bibliography

You cite correctly all sources used for quotes, statistics and facts. They are credible.

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.

5

Vocabulary

You demonstrate a clear understanding of the potential reader and use appropriate vocabulary and arguments. You anticipate reader's questions and provide thorough answers appropriate for that audience.

You demonstrate a general understanding of the potential reader and use vocabulary and arguments appropriate for that audience.

You demonstrate some understanding of the potential reader and use arguments appropriate for that audience.

It is not clear who you are writing for.

10

Sentence Structure

All sentences are well-constructed with varied structure.

Most sentences are well-constructed and there is some varied sentence structure in the essay.

Most sentences are well constructed, but there is no variation is structure.

Most sentences are not well-constructed or varied.

5

Grammar & Spelling

You make no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

You make 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

You make 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

You make more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

10

Capitalization & Punctuation

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

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

You make a few errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader's attention and interrupt the flow.

You make several errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader's attention and interrupt the flow.

5