Rubrics for Essays

Organization and Management

Criteria 5 3 2 1
Essays has specific Central idea is Unable to find specific Essays had no ideas
central idea that is unclear; somewhat supporting details or supporting details
clearly stated opening sketchy and non-
of the paragraph: supportive to the
appropriate, concrete topics; lacks focus
Content details support the
central idea and show
originality and focus
Essays is logically Essay somewhat Central point and flow Ideas were
organized and well- digresses from the of essay is lost; lacks unorganized and
Organization structured. Critical central ideas organization and unclear; no particular
thinking skills are continuity flow was followed.
evident
Writing is smooth, Sentences are varied Lacks creativity and Writing is confusing,
Style coherent, and and inconsistent with focus. hard to follow.
consistent with central central idea
idea.
No grammatical, Almost no A few grammatical, Many grammatical,
Mechanics spelling or punctuation grammatical, spelling spelling or punctuation spelling, or
errors. and punctuation errors punctuation errors
errors.