/25
Writing Rubric - Essay
1 2
Organization Introduction doesn’t reflect
& Structure the content and intent of the
essay.
No clear thesis statement
&/or
No clear conclusion
Evidence and Paragraph lack supporting
Support sentences.
The format is unclear/
incorrect.
The purpose of each
paragraph is unclear/
confusing.
Fluency and Paragraphs do not build on
Cohesion each other.
No clear thought
development.
Ideas/ details are confusing.
Transitional words/ phrases
are not incorporated.
Not indented
Mechanics Multiple punctuation or
(Grammar & capitalization mistakes
Punctuation) run-on sentences
no sentence variety
/ & or confusing sentences
Many spelling mistakes
Vocabulary Vocabulary from the units
Development are not included
Choice of words is weak
(below level)
Some indication to what the essay
aims to address in the introduction.
A weak conclusion that adds new
information or continues to support
and provide evidence.
Supporting paragraphs may contain
weak/ confusing or lack sentences
that support the main idea. &/or
Paragraph format is correct.
The purpose of each paragraph is
not very clear but the ideas/ details
are not well organized (not
chronologically or in-line with the
order found in the introduction)
Thought development between
paragraphs is not attempted Few
transitional words/ phrases are
incorporated.
Ideas/ details are confusing and not
well organized
Indented or not
No sentence variety (simple,
compound, complex, etc)
punctuation or capitalization
mistakes occur
Work is not proofread nor edited.
&/or run-on sentences/ & or
confusing sentences
spelling and punctuation mistakes
barely any use of unit vocabulary
words frequency repetitive.
3 4
Weak/ basic thesis statement is
attempted within the introduction.
&/or
Conclusion may include new
information
Some supporting paragraphs may
contain sentences that support
the main idea. &/or
The format is correct. &/or
The purpose of each paragraph is
clear and the ideas/ details are
organized (chronologically, in-line
with the order found in the
introduction)
Paragraphs attempt thought
development. Limited transitional
words/ phrases are incorporated.
Ideas/ details are weakly
organized.
Indented paragraphs &/or
Limited sentence variety (simple,
compound, complex, etc) &/or
3-5 punctuation or capitalization
mistakes. &/or
Work is not well proofread nor
edited. &/or run-on sentences
occur
Some spelling &/or punctuation
mistakes (more than 8 total)
Limited unit vocabulary
Some words or expressions are
frequent (such as repeated use of
familiar conjunctions)
Intent and focus of essay is clear in
introduction though the thesis
statement is not engaging the audience.
&/or
Conclusion sums up without reaffirming
the thesis statement/ intent of the
essay.
Most supporting paragraphs contain
sentences that support the main idea.
The format is correct.
Most of the sentences support the main
idea.
The purpose of each paragraph is clear
Paragraphs contain thought
development. Transitional words/
phrases are incorporated.
Ideas/ details are well organized
(chronologically, in-line with the order
found in the introduction)
Indented paragraphs &/or
Varied sentences (simple, compound,
complex, etc) &/or
1-2 punctuation or capitalization
mistakes. &/or
1-2 run-on sentences
Work is proofread and edited.
Few spelling &/or punctuation mistakes
(3 total)
intermediate’ words are spelled
correctly, and unit vocabulary words are
included.
Varied word choice (little to no
repetition of words)
Clear attempt at proofreading for word
choice and spelling.
5
Clear engaging thesis statement in
introduction. Focus and aim of essay is
reaffirmed in the conclusion.
The conclusion sums up the essay well
without adding any new information.
Conclusion has a take-home message.
Each supporting paragraph contains
sentences that support the main idea.
The format is correct.
The purpose of each paragraph is clear
Paragraphs contain clear thought
development. Transitional words/
phrases are well incorporated.
Ideas/ details are well organized
(chronologically, in-line with the order
found in the introduction)
Indented paragraphs with varied
sentences (simple, compound, complex,
etc)
No punctuation or capitalization
mistakes.
Work is carefully proofread and edited.
No run-on sentences
No spelling mistakes
Vocabulary from the units are
incorporated well throughout the essay.
Work is carefully proofread for word
choice.