KIMMY RAE M. ALBUNAG
GRADING RUBRIC FOR ESSAYS
 
Written communication (50 points)
  • Organization
    • Inadequate (10 points):  There appears to be no organization of the essay’s contents.
    • Needs Improvement (15 points):  Organization of the essay is difficult to follow, due to inadequate transitions and/or rambling format.
    • Adequate (20 points):  The essay can be easily followed.  A combination of the following is apparent:  Basic transitions are used; a structured format is used.
    • Professional quality (25 points):  The essay can be easily followed.  A combination of the following is apparent:  Effective transitions are used; a professional format is used.
  • Mechanics and grammar
    • Inadequate (10 points):  Sentences and paragraphs are difficult to read and understand due to poor grammar or mechanics
    • Needs improvement (15 points):  The essay contains numerous grammatical and mechanical errors.
    • Adequate (20 points):  The essay contains minimal grammatical or mechanical errors.
    • Professional quality (25 points):  The essay is clear and concise and contains no grammatical or mechanical errors.
Content (50 points)
  • Correctness of facts
    • Inadequate (10 points):  Most facts are wrong.
    • Needs improvement (15 points):  Some facts are wrong.
    • Adequate (20 points):  Technical details are generally correct.
    • Professional quality (25 points):  All facts are correct, and the technical explanation is both concise and complete.
  • Completeness
    • Inadequate (10 points):  Did not address some of the questions.
    • Needs improvement (15 points):  Addressed the questions, but provided few details.
    • Adequate (20 points):  Address the questions, but left out some details.
    • Professional quality (25 points):  Addressed all questions completely.
 

ESSAY RUBRIC

 
Level 4
80-100%
Level 3
70-79%
Level 2
60-69%
Level 1
59% and below

INTRODUCTION

 
 
Style & Format
 
Thesis
§  very clearly highlights main points to follow (without providing details)
§  very smooth flow between sentences
§  thesis is clear, concise, highly significant & relates to entire essay
 
§  highlights main points to follow
§  fairly smooth flow between sentences
§  thesis is clear & concise &
relates to entire essay
§  some overview of main points presented
§  poor flow between sentences
§  thesis expresses a more obvious idea & may require reworking to improve clarity
§  thesis expressed loosely relates to entire essay
§  main points to follow not clearly presented
§  choppy flow
§  fine tuning of style & format required
§  thesis expresses a really simple/obvious idea
§  unclear or muddled language used
§  thesis may be vague or unrelated to parts of the essay
CONTENT

Fact Base

 
* weighed more heavily in determining overall level
§  facts are of sufficient number to provide highly effective support
§  facts are consistently detailed/precise & very relevant
§  excellent variety of resources used & highly effective blending of sources within paragraphs & essay
§  facts provide substantial support
§  facts are detailed/ precise & relevant
§  good variety of resources used & good blending of sources within essay
 
§  facts provide some support
§  lacking details & examples to support arguments
§  some variety of sources used but more blending of sources needed
§  very few facts provided
§  more specific details & examples needed to support opinions
§  vague
§  limited variety of sources used and very poor blending of sources

CONTENT

Depth/Analysis

 
* weighed more heavily in determining overall level
§  facts are consistently linked to  thesis with highly effective explanations
§  contains examples of critical thinking
§  complex understanding of topic demonstrated
§  facts are generally linked to  thesis with effective explanations
§  solid understanding of topic demonstrated
§  additional analysis in places would strengthen arguments
§  connections between ideas and facts not always made
§  more analysis/explanation needed
§  facts may appear to be ‘listed’
§  connections between ideas and facts not made
§  depth to argument lacking/more explanation of facts needed
STYLE
Spelling & Grammar
 
Organization & Flow
§  correct spelling & grammar used   effectively almost all of the time
§  complex sentence structure & sophisticated vocabulary used consistently
 
§  highly effective topic & concluding sentences (consistent, clear links to thesis) and paragraph structure
§  very well organized & smooth transition from one idea to the next
§  spelling & grammar used with considerable accuracy & effectiveness
§  attempts shown at using complex sentence structure & sophisticated vocabulary
 
 
§  strong topic & concluding sentences and paragraph structure
§  well organized & good flow from one idea to the next
§  spelling & grammar require moderate editing
 
 
 
§  topic & concluding sentences included but need to be more directly linked to thesis
§  paragraph structure poor in places
§  choppy in places
§  spelling & grammar require considerable editing
 
 
§  some topic & concluding sentences appear to be missing
§  paragraph structure unclear
§  choppy in places
§  much more consideration of organization required
CONCLUSION
Restatement of Thesis
 
Style & Format
§  very nicely restates thesis
 
§  clear summary of main points presented (with no new data added)
§  thoughtful expansive application offered
§  smooth flow of summary points
§  nicely restates thesis
 
§  clear summary of main points presented (with no new data added)
§  expansive application offered
§  fairly smooth flow of summary points
§  thesis restated but somewhat unclear/poorly worded
 
§  summary of main points unclear or incomplete
§  expansive application weak
§  choppy flow between summary points
§  thesis not restated
 
 
§  summary of arguments not provided
§  elements of concluding paragraph missing
DOCUMENTATION
§  demonstrates great attention to detail of proper footnotes/endnotes
§  demonstrates great attention to format of bibliography
§  demonstrates good attention to detail of proper footnotes/endnotes
§  demonstrates good attention to format of bibliography
§  demonstrates some attention to detail of proper footnotes/endnotes
§  demonstrates some attention to format of bibliography
§  demonstrates limited attention to detail of proper footnotes/endnotes
§  demonstrates limited attention to format of bibliography
 
Knowledge & Understanding
is demonstrated through:
·          content - fact base
Thinking & Inquiry is demonstrated through:
·          thesis
·          content – depth/analysis (explanations/connections)
Communication is demonstrated through:
·          restating thesis
·          spelling & grammar
·          organization & flow
Application is demonstrated through:
·          style & format of introduction & conclusion
·          topic & concluding sentences
·          paragraph structure
·          documentation
*Footnotes or endnotes must be properly used before an essay is to be submitted – in text citations are not acceptable
** An essay missing either footnotes, endnotes or a bibliography will be given a mark of zero and will be forwarded to the school plagiarism panel