Rubric Made Using:

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

CATEGORY

4 - Above Standards

3 - Meets Standards

2 - Approaching Standards

1 - Below Standards

Score

MLA Formatting

All MLA formatting guidelines are followed without any errors.

Majority of MLA formatting guidelines followed with less than three minor errors (ex. an uncapitalized name, singular missing MLA element, etc.)

Limited MLA formatting guidelines used with more than six errors (ex. a missing line from the header, title not in the center of page, etc.).

Missing MLA formatting with major portions incorrect.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Grammar & Spelling

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

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

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

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

 

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 student's position.

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

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

 

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.