SHORT ESSAY RUBRIC

Excellent Good Fair Poor Scor

5 4 3 2-0 e
Introductory The introduction is The introduction The introduction The introduction
paragraph very interesting, clearly states the states the topic and does not clearly
Thesis clearly states the topic and includes includes a thesis state the topic,
topic that will be an adequate thesis statement, but the and/or no thesis
developed in the statement that thesis is either statement is present.
essay and includes a provides a preview flawed or does not
well-constructed of the main points provide a preview
thesis statement that of the essay. of the main points
provides a preview of the essay.
of the main points
of the paper.
Content The author The writer has a The writer shows an The writer is
Development of demonstrates a good control of the understanding of unclear about the
Ideas superior topic he or she is the topic, but some topic he or she is
understanding of writing about. Main ideas are not fully writing about. The
the topic he or she ideas are adequately developed. discussion is not
is writing about. developed. focused.
Main ideas are fully
developed.
Conclusion The essay has a The essay has a The essay has a The essay does not
detailed conclusion detailed conclusion conclusion restating contain a detailed
restating the thesis restating the thesis the thesis or main conclusion restating
or main points and or main points. points. The reader is the thesis or main
wrapped up the Little doubt is left not completely points. The essay
paper satisfactorily. in the reader's mind. convinced as the ends with the reader
The reader is fully conclusion is not doubting the
convinced by the fully clear. viewpoint of the
author's argument. author. The
meaning of the
discussion is not
clear.
Organization Excellent Proper transitions The paper, at times, The paper lacks
transitions and topic are used. Every does not flow internal paragraph
sentences are used paragraph contains smoothly from coherence. Some
in the paper to a clear topic paragraph to ideas do not relate
guide readers sentence. Ideas flow paragraph. A few to the thesis and/or
through the logically from one topic sentences are a few paragraphs
progression of paragraph to the either general or lack topic
ideas. Readers can next. flawed. sentences.
see how one idea is
developed from the
previous one.
Language The essay is well- The essay is written The essay is mostly The essay is not
written. The in a clear, easily clear, but it contains clear and contains
language is clear accessible form for several many grammatical,
and sophisticated. the reader. It grammatical, spelling, and/or
Grammar, spelling, contains some spelling, and/or sentence-level
and sentence-level grammatical, sentence-level errors.
errors are minimal. spelling, and/or errors.
sentence-level
errors.
Word Count 300-500 words Less than 300 or Less than 280 or Less than 260 or
more than 500 more than 520 more than 540
words words words