Essay Rubric

ESSAY RUBRIC

            The word ‘rubric’ refers to a set of rules. It could also be a detailed set of instructions that tell you how to carry out a particular procedure. It is a set of regulatory statements that define how a particular activity of procedure has to be carried out and evaluated. So, essay rubric it means you are trying to tell a writer what an essay needs to consist of or in other words, what the components of an essay are. Once you are sure of this, you can make sure that your essay is a good one. It depends on the type of essay and differs from one for a narrative essay to that of an MBA essay.

A well written essay rubric should be able to evaluate the following effectively:

• Writing of the introduction to the essay
• Presenting the thesis statement
• Organization and layout of the whole essay
• Language levels – check whether there are grammatical, syntax or spelling errors
• Substance of the essay and whether it is relevant to the topic
• Does the essay comment on issues where necessary
• Is the evidence given sufficient and pertinent
• Are the citations in place and in the right kind of format
• Is there a sequential presentation right through the essay, leading to coherency

Types:

1. A 5 Paragraph Essay Rubric

            It should be taken into consideration that the basic high school essay is frequently written in five paragraphs. It means that the paper consists of these parts:

• Introduction
• Body paragraph one
• Body paragraph two
• Body paragraph three
• Conclusion

2. A Persuasive Essay Rubric

            It teaches us that it is necessary to begin the essay with a lead-in. It should catch the readers’ attention. This may be done in several ways:

• put some unusual detail from the very beginning;
• write a strong statement;
• resort to the use of some famous quotation;
• include interesting facts or statistic in your introductory part;
• create a short anecdote;
• start with a rhetorical question.

3. A Narrative Essay Rubric

            It is based upon one major peculiarity of this paper. It should be written like a story. A writer should be creative while preparing such an essay and resort to the use of his imagination. It is a good idea to use brainstorming before writing. It helps to concentrate on the topic and select best ideas. It has to reflect one’s thoughts concerning some event.

4. A High School Essay Rubric

When writing a high school essay rubric the student has to complete his/her paper by means of these points:

• defining the context of the essay,
• choosing the topic under analysis,
• searching the information relevant to the topic of the paper,
• writing a brief outline of the paper,
• preparing the body of the essay,
• drawing conclusion,
• writing an introductory part,
• preparing a good pithy conclusion,
• and proofreading.

5. A Research Paper Rubric

It requires resorting to the use of several steps to get a successful paper. A writer should follow them:

• select a topic or problem,
• prepare an outline,
• gather the material relevant to the topic,
• review the documents,
• write a final outline,
• prepare a draft of the paper,
• makes revision of the draft,
• provide your paper with the reference list,
• proofread the paper.

6. A College Essay Rubric

It requires that essay must have its main idea. It should not be about everything at the same time. A successful writing suggests only one important idea and discusses it in the body of the paper. The essay should be structured in order for the readers to follow the main idea from the very beginning to the end. Moreover, it must be supported with examples, facts, and reasons.

7. A Personal Essay Rubric

It includes the requirements that help to enlarge upon the personality of its writer. As a rule, it is written for application and should answer several important questions. Thus, a writer is to indicate why he/she is interested in this very educational institution and what he/she expects from its stuff. It is important to mention what traits of character and personal skills will help one to become a successful learner in this institution.

Reference:

http://www.professays.com/essay/essay-rubric/

Example of an 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

Reference:

http://borges.edublogs.org/files/2009/09/essay-rubric.doc