Great Depression Essay Rubric 

Remember! A successful essay will:  

●   Engage all of the events outlined in the flowmap of cause and effect that
were highlighted in the skits, a n d h o w th e y re late  
late d to e a c h o th e r 
●  Clearly use the sources provided by drawing on specific examples
●  Demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of the catastrophe
●
  Be no less than a page and a half long, double spaced, size twelve font

4-Exemplary  3-Accomplished  2-Developing  1-Beginning 

Introduction The introduction The introduction The introduction The introduction

Paragraph   paragraph introduces the  paragraph introduces the  paragraph introduces the  paragraph is missing
(Hook, Thesis topic in an engaging way topic and ends with a topic and ends with a many of the elements
Statement) 
and ends with a strong thesis statement that thesis statement that including clarity on the
thesis statement that clearly outlines the  begins to outline the topic being outlined
clearly outlines the flowmap of cause and flowmap of cause and and a thesis statement.. 
flowmap of cause and effect.  effect but needs more
effect.  development. 

Body All body

strong paragraphs
evidence to have
Paragraphs
support claims made and
link to thesis; fully
engages with the text and
skits and illustrates strong
understanding of the
complexities of the
catastrophe by showing
how each cause connects  connects  connect causes to each
All
havebody paragraphs
evidence to support Body paragraphs
some evidence to have
support Body paragraphs
structure, with nolack
claims made and link to claims made and link to transitions and little or
thesis; Engages with the thesis; Begins to engages no connection to clear
text and skits and with the text and skits; topic, and/or claims, or
illustrates understanding does not illustrate evidence to back
of the complexities of understanding of the thesis. 
the catastrophe by complexities of the
showing how each cause catastrophe- does not
other. 

Concluding The concluding The concluding The concluding The concluding

Paragraph   paragraph restates thesis
in new words,
summarizes claims and
goes above and beyond to
connect the topic to
modern day (Why should
we care?).
 paragraph restates thesis  paragraph restates thesis  paragraph may hint at
in new words,  but may not use new the thesis but does
summarizes claims,, and words, summarizes some contain clear
connects the topic to claims but needs further connections to the
modern day (Why detail. Does not connect topic. 
should we care?)   to modern times. 

Formatting  Paper is typed, size 12 Paper is typed, size 12 Some of the paper is The paper is lacking
font double spaced, font double spaced, is typed but not complete; much or all of the
exceeds 1 ½ pages and at least 1 ½ pages and other elements of the formatting required to
has a creative title.   has a title.  formatting are missing   consider the
assignment complete 

Spelling and The essay is free from Only a few spelling The spelling and/or Many spelling and/or
Grammar most spelling and and/or grammar errors grammar errors begin to grammar errors that
(Conventions)  grammar errors.  remain.   be a distraction from the can distract or confuse
clarity of the writing. the reader.