Essay Grading Rubric

Criteria Excellent Adequate Needs Work

Title includes both subject and
a hint about the thesis or point
of view; engaging introduction
Most but not all of the qualities No title; introduction and/or
that prepares the reader
listed under "Excellent" - there conclusion seem to have
Title, Introduction, Conclusion accurately for the body
may be roughness or confusion little to do with the body of
paragraphs; thought-provoking
in the introduction or conclusion the essay
or interesting conclusion that
ties everything back together
and takes the thesis further
Organization

Excels by responding to the

Thesis is implied or
assignment with a clear Has a clearly stated
absent, or is stated, but
Thesis/Focus argumentative thesis in the first argumentative thesis that the
the paper doesn't connect
paragraph that continues to be paper basically focuses on.
back to it
the focus of the paper

one main idea per paragraph, many ideas per paragraph,

good use of transitions, clear
topic sentences, smooth
Organization
connections between
paragraphs, if an order is set in
the introduction, it is followed
mostly one idea or point per
missing topic sentences,
paragraph, some transitions,
abrupt transition, and/or
mostly clear topic sentences,
missing or rough
okay connections between
connections between
paragraphs
paragraphs

Uses specific, concrete,

relevant details, examples,
evidence and numerous
Development: Support
references to source material
to substantiate and explain
thesis
Development
uses support, but it may be
lacks sufficient details and
insufficient in some areas, or
examples to support ideas;
connections between the
has insufficient or
evidence and ideas might not be
irrelevant evidence
clear

does not clearly explain

explains the connections
between evidence and main
ideas thoughtfully and
Development: Analysis
thoroughly, makes connections
thoroughly connections
explicit, discusses implications,
relevance or significance.
mostly explains connections
between ideas and evidence,
although explanation may be
incomplete or may be missing
incomplete, missing
in some paragraphs. Little
discussion of facts and info
connections between
evidence and ideas; does
not elaborate beyond basic
or obvious conclusions
conclusions,
and/or analysis is too
general or brief to be
convincing

vague and abstract

Demonstrates excellent use of
language; precisely chosen
Sentence Craft & Style words, complex and varied
sentence structure; appropriate
tone and style
is almost entirely free of
Mechanics
adequate use of language,
language; words misused;
although some words may be
sentences may be
vague or imprecise; sentence
monotonous or choppy
structure may be simple or
tone or style may be
awkward in spots, mostly
inappropriate for the
appropriate tone and style
assignment
has frequent or extensive
contains a few errors which may
errors in diction grammar,

Mechanics: (Grammar and spelling, punctuation and
spelling) grammatical errors (one per
page or less)
distract the reader put not
punctuation, spelling
impede meaning (about 2-3
(more than 4 errors per
errors per page)
page)

Has smoothly used signal

mostly cites in-text correctly, but missing many in-text
phrases and parenthetical
doesn't introduce citations citations, missing Works
citation in-text; has a citation
smoothly or uses signal Cited page, Works cited
Mechanics: MLA for every fact or quote; has
phrases/parenthetical citation page contains only URLs
correctly formatted Works
inaccurately; Works Cited page or has other significant
Cited page with few or no
has more than a few errors omissions or errors
errors