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 that is appropriate for the audience.

The introductory paragraph has a hook , 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.

2

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.

6

Support for Position

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

Includes no pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences).

4

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.

4

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.

4

Closing paragraph

The conclusion effectively restates the thesis statement, sumarizes the three main points and closes with recommendation, suggestion or prediction.

The conclusion does effectively 2 of the 3 things a good conclusion does.

The conclusion does effectively 1 of the 3 things a good conclusion does.

There is no conclusion - the paper just ends.

6

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 structure.

Most sentences are not well-constructed or varied.

4

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.

2

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.

2

Reference

Each body paragraph has effective in-text citation and all sources are appropriately included in the reference list following the Harvard guidelines.

2 body paragraphs have effective in-text citation and all sources are appropriately included in the reference list following the Harvard guidelines.

One body paragraph has effective in-text citation and all sources are appropriately included in the reference list following the Harvard guidelines.

No in-text citation was use and there is no reference list.

6