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.

5

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.

5

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.

10

Evidence and Examples in body paragraphs

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.

40

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 paragraph summarizes main ideas and ends with an opinion/suggestion or prediction.

The conclusion is recognizable. The author's position is restated within the first two sentences of the closing paragraph. One of the elements of a conclusion is missing.

The author's position is restated within the closing paragraph, but not near the beginning. Two of the elements of a conclusion are missing.

There is no conclusion - the paper just ends.

10

Transitions

A variety of thoughtful transitions are used. They clearly show how ideas are connected and are appropriate for a process analysis essay.

Transitions show how ideas are connected and are appropriate for a process analysis essay, but there is little variety

Some transitions work well, but some connections between ideas are fuzzy and many transitions are not appropriate for a process analysis essay.

The transitions between ideas are unclear OR nonexistent.

5

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 in the structure.

Most sentences are not well-constructed or varied.

5

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.

5

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.

5

Submission time and conditions

The final draft was handed in on time, stapled and emailed to both teachers on time.

The final draft was handed in on time, stapled but it was emailed to both teachers late.

The student had the final draft by the deadline, but it was not stapled and it was emailed to both teachers late.

The final drafts was not ready by the deadline. (Late essays are not received and students get no credit for such essays)

10