Rubrics for Analytical Essay

Excellent Proficient Fair Inadequate

Idea is unclear,
Idea is debatable and it takes
Idea is
and clearly work for the
debatable and
presented in the reader to fish it
is evident in the There is no
Idea opening and out of the text.
argument, but is evident in the
concluding Or, thesis is
25% not clearly Idea.
sections of the self-evident
stated.
paper. and not
debatable.
Argument is Argument is
presented clearly presented
Argument is
and logically. clearly and
rambling, and
Logical points logically, but
there are
build directly upon points do not There is no
contradictions
the thesis and necessarily discernable
left
prior points. build on each argument, or no
Argumentation unaddressed.
Counter- other. Counter alternative
15% Counter
arguments are arguments are interpretation is
arguments may
addressed, addressed, but presented.
be presented,
dismantled, and many are left
but are left
folded into the hanging or are
unaddressed.
main argument of dealt with
the paper. inadequately.
Argument is
Argument is
original and Argument is
expository
creative. Goes strong and
rather than
substantially interesting, but
analytical.
beyond points plays it safe and
Concepts are Argument is
raised in lecture does not push
Originality described, but boring, weak and
and readings. boundaries.
dealt with incoherent.
15% Concepts are Concepts are
separately and
related to each put in
not explicitly
other in conversation
related to each
interesting and with each other.
other.
creative ways.
 Clear organization
Clear
with a natural
organization, Organization is
flow. Includes an
with unclear or
introduction,
introduction, without Little discernable
transition
transitions and necessary organization.
sentences to
conclusion, but component Significant
connect major
writing is not parts. grammar and
Organization and ideas, and
always fluid. Significant spelling errors.
Writing conclusion.
There are grammar or Ideas and
15% There are few or
several spelling errors evidence are not
no grammar or
grammar or (but not both). correctly cited, or
spelling errors.
spelling errors. Ideas and not cited at all.
Minimal passive
Ideas and evidence are
voice. Ideas and
evidence are correctly cited.
evidence are
correctly cited.
correctly cited.
Each logical
point is backed
Each logical point
up by one or
is backed up by
more examples.
one or more
Evidence
examples.
advances the A few pieces of
Evidence is Several points
argument, but it evidence are
strong and of the argument
may not be thrown in here or
sufficient to are left without
Use of Evidence sufficient. there, but not
advance the evidence.
15% Potential used to defend
argument. Evidence is
counter- the main
Potential counter- insufficient.
arguments are argument.
arguments are
accounted for,
accounted for and
but may not be
addressed with
sufficiently
evidence.
addressed with
evidence.
Demonstrates
solid
Concepts are Course
understanding of
defined, but the readings are
the major themes Paper mentions
author does not used.
of the course, course readings,
demonstrate a Concepts are
Application of using readings but there is little
solid left undefined,
Readings / and lectures to demonstration of
understanding or poorly
Concepts / Visual define concepts. how the paper
of the major defined. Little
Argument is relates to the
15% themes of the broader
placed within the course.
course relevant framework is
broad discussions
to the argument. used.
outlined in the
course.

TOTAL SCORE: _________________________________