ATS1423 Assessment Six: Major Essay Rubric (40%)
Criteria N P
Argument The essay provides little to no critical
discussion of the sentencing aims and
their adequacy in the case chosen.
Further, there is little discussion of
alternative sentencing or the benefits
of harsher sentencing in the case. The
argument is not clear or coherent and
thus demonstrates poor
understanding of sentencing aims
covered this semester.
Structure The structure of the essay is weak
and the essay does not discuss the
sentencing aims or their adequacy in
relation to the case chosen. Multiple
components are missing or
underdeveloped.
Evidence The essay references no or very little
evidence and/or examples to support
the argument or, the evidence or
examples cited are irrelevant or
inappropriate. The analysis is either
missing or contains significant
factual or interpretive errors. The
essay falls well short of the minimum
referencing requirements for the
assessment.
Presentation Presentation is poor and the writing
is often unclear and/or inappropriate
for a scholarly assignment. The essay
The essay provides limited
critical discussion of the
sentencing aims and their
adequacy in the case chosen.
Further, there is limited
discussion of alternative
sentencing or the benefits of
harsher sentencing in the case.
The argument is not entirely
clear or coherent and thus
demonstrates limited
understanding of sentencing
aims covered this semester.
The structure of the essay is
not entirely logical or clear and
the essay provides a limited
discussion of the sentencing
aims and their adequacy in
relation to the case chosen.
One component of the essay is
missing or underdeveloped
The essay references limited
evidence and/or examples to
support the argument. Where
referenced, the evidence is not
entirely appropriate or the
analysis of it is
underdeveloped. The essay
includes limited evidence of
theoretical analysis and
discussion. The essay falls well
short of the minimum
referencing requirements for
the assessment.
Presentation is acceptable
however the writing is often
unclear or inappropriate for a
C D
The essay provides sound
critical discussion of the
sentencing aims and their
adequacy in the case chosen.
Further, there is a sound
discussion of alternative
sentencing or the benefits of
harsher sentencing in the case.
The argument is generally
clear and coherent and thus
demonstrates fair
understanding of sentencing
aims covered this semester.
The structure of the essay is
sound and the essay provides a
good basic discussion of the
sentencing aims and their
adequacy in relation to the case
chosen.
The essay references some
relevant evidence and/or
examples to support the
argument. The evidence is not
entirely appropriate or the
analysis of the evidence is not
fully developed. The essay
includes an attempt at
theoretical analysis and
discussion. The essay falls just
short of the minimum
referencing requirements for
the assessment.
Presentation is fair and the
writing is generally clear and
appropriate for a scholarly
The essay provides good
critical discussion of the
sentencing aims and their
adequacy in the case chosen.
Further, there is a good
discussion of alternative
sentencing or the benefits of
harsher sentencing in the case.
The argument is clear and
coherent and thus demonstrates
good understanding of
sentencing aims covered this
semester.
The structure of the essay is
good and the essay provides a
good discussion of the
sentencing aims and their
adequacy in relation to the case
chosen.
Evidence and/or examples are
effectively utilised in support
of the argument. The evidence
cited is appropriate and
analysed in an appropriate
manner. The essay includes
some good theoretical analysis
and discussion. The essay is
well-researched and meets the
minimum referencing
requirements for the
assessment.
The essay is well presented,
the writing is generally clear
and appropriate for a scholarly
HD
The essay provides excellent
critical discussion of the
sentencing aims and their
adequacy in the case chosen.
Further, there is an excellent
discussion of alternative
sentencing or the benefits of
harsher sentencing in the case.
The argument is clear, original
and/or theoretically
sophisticated, and thus
demonstrates excellent
understanding of sentencing
aims covered this semester.
The structure of the essay is
excellent and the essay
provides an excellent
discussion of the sentencing
aims and their adequacy in
relation to the case chosen.
Evidence and examples are
effectively utilised to support
the argument. The evidence
utilised is appropriate, original,
and critically analysed. The
theoretical analysis/discussion
is sophisticated and appears
throughout the essay. The
essay is exceptionally well-
researched and exceeds the
minimum referencing
requirements for the
assessment.
The essay is meticulously
presented, the writing is very
clear and appropriate for a
 includes many noticeable stylistic scholarly assignment. The assignment with some stylistic assignment with few stylistic scholarly assignment with very
errors (i.e. spelling/grammar). essay includes some noticeable errors (i.e. spelling/grammar). errors (i.e. spelling/grammar). few stylistic errors (i.e.
stylistic errors (i.e. spelling/grammar).
spelling/grammar).

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Mark: /100