RUBRICS FOR WRITING AN ESSAY

CRITERIA 5 / EXCELLENT 4 / VERY GOOD 3 / GOOD 2 / POOR 1 / UNACCEPTABLE

Ideas This paper is clear This paper is The writer is Topic is not well The paper has no
and focused. It mostly focused beginning to defined and/or clear sense of
holds the reader's and has define the topic, there are too purpose or
attention. some good details. even many topics. central theme.
Relevant details though To extract
and quotes development is meaning from
enrich the central still basic or the
theme. general. text, the reader
must make
inferences
based on sketchy
or missing
details.

Organization The organization Paper (and The organizational Sentences within The writing lacks
enhances and paragraphs) are structure is strong paragraphs make a clear sense of
showcases the mostly organized, enough to move sense, but the direction. Ideas,
central idea or in order, and the reader order of details, or events
theme. The order makes sense to through the text paragraphs does seem strung
and structure of the reader. without too not. together in a
information is much confusion. loose or random
compelling and fashion; there is
moves the no
reader through identifiable
the text. internal
structure.

Sentence Fluency The writing has The writing The text hums The text seems The reader has to
an easy flow, mostly flows, along with a choppy and is practice quite a bit
rhythm, and and usually steady beat but not easy to in order to give
 cadence. invites oral tends to be more read orally. this
Sentences are reading. mechanical than paper a fair
well built, with fluid. interpretive reading.
strong
and varied
structure that
invites
expressive oral
reading.

Conventions The writer The writer The writer shows The writer seems Errors in spelling,
demonstrates a understands good reasonable to have made punctuation,
good grasp of writing control over a little capitalization, usage,
standard conventions limited range effort to use

CRITERIA 5 / EXCELLENT 4 / VERY GOOD 3 / GOOD 2 / POOR 1 / UNACCEPTABLE

writing and usually uses of standard conventions: and grammar

conventions them correctly. writing spelling, and/or
(e.g., spelling, Paper is easily conventions. punctuation, paragraphing
punctuation, read and errors Conventions are capitalization, repeatedly distract
capitalization, are rare. sometimes usage, grammar the reader and
grammar, usage, handled well and and/or make the text
paragraphing) enhance paragraphing difficult to read.
and uses readability; at have multiple
conventions other times, errors.
effectively to errors are
enhance readability. distracting and
impair readability.

Presentation The form and The format is The writer's The writer's The reader
 presentation of generally easy to message is message is only receives a
the text enhances read. somewhat understandable garbled message
the ability for the understandable occasionally, and due to problems
reader to in this format. paper is messily relating to the
understand and written. presentation of
connect with the the text.
message.

Adapted from https://www.uen.org/rubric/previewRubric.html?id=20123