GRADING RUBRIC: CAUSE-EFFECT

Name___________________________
Evaluative Area

20-30

Section___________________ Date ______________

20-10

10-5

0-5

Unity

Thesis clearly
states cause/effect
relationship

Thesis states
cause/effect
relationship

Thesis lacks clear

direction

No thesis

Appropriate
organizing
strategies include
cause-to-effect
effect-to-cause
chain of causes

Solid topic
sentences and
supporting
paragraphs

Topic sent. and/or

para. content need
more relation to
thesis

Topic sentences
present, but
paragraphs need to
be expanded

Lacks topic
sentences and
appropriate
paragraphing

Conclusion:
Restated thesis
relates directly to
thesis and uses
varied language

Conclusion:
Restated thesis
provided, but too
much like thesis
OR needs work

Conclusion:
Summation
provided, but does
not relate closely
enough to thesis

3 points of support
but relate loosely

1 or 2 points of
support

Lacks quality
support

Some evidence for

each point is
provided

Evidence is
provided for only
1 or 2 points

Lacks specific
evidence

Documentation
present, but format
is incorrect
Organization plan
is clear

Some
documentation
missing
Work needed to
maintain
organization

No documentation
present

Transitions
present, but work
is needed to clarify
how ideas are
related

Some transitions
missing between
and within
paragraphs

Lacks transitions
and connections
throughout (

Introduction,
conclusion, and
title present; lack a
relationship

Title is lacking,
introduction and
conclusion relate
well

Title, introduction,
and/or conclusion
missing

Conclusion: Lacks
restated thesis

Thesis and
conclusion engage
attention and give
reader a reason to
care
Support

3 or more specific
points of support
Specific evidence
for each point is
presented

Coherence

Material is
correctly cited and
smoothly
integrated
Method of
organization is
clear and wellsuited to topic and
audience
Transitions and
connections
between and
within paragraphs
flow easily
Effective
introduction,
conclusion, title

Lacks any method

of organization