rubric

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