Unit 3 Grading Criteria Rubric

Controlling Idea Evidence
Above Text presents a revelatory
Average controlling idea that
guides the text, supported
with the use of relevant
sub-claims that further
the author’s purpose/
intended meaning of the
text.
Average Text presents a controlling
idea, though it may not be
revelatory or clear and is
somewhat supported with
sub-claims, though some
may seem tangential. Text
presents ideas, but the
ideas do not further the
author’s purpose.
Below Text does not present a
Average controlling idea, nor does
the text present sub-
claims that are connected
to the claim. Author has
simply reported
information.
Description Genre Competence
Text presents evidence in Text presents a clear
a logical manner and has understanding of the
been chosen based on concept of rhetorical
relevance to the analysis. Text also
controlling idea and presents evidence
ability to further the that demonstrates
controlling idea/author’s this understanding.
purpose.
Text presents evidence Text presents an
for the controlling idea, understanding of the
though not all the concept of rhetorical
selected evidence analysis, although it is
furthers the author’s clear that that the
purpose or it is unclear author stumbles to
how the evidence works fully comprehend.
to do so. Some tangents Text presents some
present. evidence to
demonstrate the
understanding.
Text either does not Text presents a clear
present any evidence for lack of understanding
the controlling idea or the concept of
the evidence does not rhetorical analysis and
further the author’s presents evidence to
purpose and is demonstrate such.
tangential.
Style, Grammar and the Writing
(Rhetorical Analysis)
Text presents a clear
understanding of the
rhetorical analysis genre of
an essay and the intended
audience. Text clearly
understands his/her
purpose and uses the genre
as such.
Text seems confused about
the purpose of the
rhetorical analysis genre of
an essay, though the
purpose is accomplished.
Evidence of a
misunderstanding of
audience and how the
genre works for the
author’s purpose.
Text does not present a
clear understanding of the
intention of the rhetorical
analysis genre of an essay,
including the conventions
required of the audience
and purpose of the genre.
Process
Style and grammar are mostly
appropriate for the assigned genre and
audience. Text appears to have
benefitted from proofreading and
editing. The essay is organized around
the controlling idea, and transitions are
used to guide the audience.
Style and grammar are somewhat
appropriate for the assigned genre and
audience. Text appears to have not
benefitted from proofreading and
editing. The essay is somewhat
organized around the controlling idea,
and transitions are used to guide the
audience, although some confusion
persists.
Style and grammar are mostly
inappropriate for the assigned genre
and audience. Text appears not to have
been proofread or edited. The essay is
not organized around the controlling
idea, and transitions are not used to
guide the audience.

Evelyn,

Thank you for the time and work you put into the third major essay in ENG1301. This essay required you to present a rhetorical analysis of a peer-reviewed published
essay using the detailed requirements posted to the assignment’s description and grading rubric. This assignment also offered you several opportunities to obtain
outside feedback and guidance to your essay’s development, including an instructor conference opportunity, peer review opportunity, and ACE guidance opportunity.
Unit 3 Grading Criteria Rubric

During the four weeks dedicated to this assignment’s development, you participated in peer review and ACE requirement, but did not participation in the instructor
conference opportunity. Essay #3 required you to analyze a published, peer-reviewed article, and instead of arguing the issue that the author presents, you needed to
argue the overall effectiveness of the author’s rhetorical choices. You will have an opportunity to further revise this essay for its next draft’s inclusion in the upcoming
Portfolio for ENG1301, if this is the essay you select for that Portfolio requirement. With that revision’s needs in mind, please review the chart above. And below, you’ll
find some specific suggestions and strengths to consider for revision. I hope you find this input helpful!

Result Specific Desired Outcome for Submitted Draft Based on Essay’s Published Assignment Requirements
& Course Learning Objectives
 The final draft word count and setup requirements have been met.

 One published, peer-reviewed research-based article was selected.

 Three or four rhetorical choices used in the selected article were identified and explained.

 The essay deciphered how those specific three/four rhetorical choices were used to persuade (or failed to persuade) a reader
to accept the author’s answers to the author’s research questions.

 An introductory paragraph drew in the reader to the article that was discussed in the essay and provided some background
information to anchor the reader’s understanding of the article’s research questions and why it was important to analyze
some of the article’s rhetorical choices in order to determine if the author was successful in persuading the reader to accept
the author’s answers to the author’s research questions.

 The introduction paragraph concluded with the thesis statement.

 A thesis statement informed the reader of the article being analyzed in the essay, the specific rhetorical choices that would
be discussed in the essay’s body paragraphs, and why analysis of these rhetorical choices is important to assessing the
author’s goal of persuading the reader to accept the author’s answers to the author’s research questions.

 Each body paragraph did the three jobs required of a body paragraph: a) provide topic sentence; b) offer supporting evidence
and examples; c) summarize the purpose/content of the paragraph.

 A conclusion paragraph summarized the main points made in the essay’s body paragraphs and circled back to the promises
made in the essay’s thesis statement.

Please review course Citation information for the selected article was provided in the essay, and a properly formatted MLA citation listing for the
materials to ensure this article was correctly shown on a properly formatted Works Cited page.
Unit 3 Grading Criteria Rubric

requirement is met or more

fully addressed.
 Essay does not use direct quotes. Instead, the student has paraphrased the research from the selected article into the
student’s own words and cited the source from which the information was obtained.

Please review course Essay is well edited, containing few grammar, punctuation, or other editing needs.
materials to ensure this
requirement is met or more
fully addressed.
 Essay is written in 3rd person point of view.
Suggestions for Revisions Please read over my notes in the columns above. As you know, ENG1301 requires one of the three major essays developed
for this course (Essay #3 or Essay #2 or Essay #1) to be significantly revised, and the revised version needs to be included in
your upcoming Portfolio. A “revision,” per the Portfolio’s requirement, equates to more than 25% content change between
drafts. If you decide to revise this essay to meet the Portfolio’s additional revision requirement for one major essay in
ENG1301, pay close attention to the elements noted that need further revision and consideration. Our course materials will
guide your work on those revision needs. As you consider the revision needs of this essay, also consider reworking some of
the elements not noted in this chart to ensure they provide a strong, more well-developed presentation in the next draft, a
presentation that meets the reader’s needs and more fully addresses the published assignment description for this project. If
you have any questions as you continue to revise the essay, please reach out and let me know, and I’ll do my best to assist.

Overall, great job on this! I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ll do with the next draft if this is the essay you decide to significantly revise for the Portfolio project.
This essay was interesting to read. Thanks for the time and work you put into it!

Julie