Essay Evaluation Rubric

Language – Grade 8

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5 4 3 2 1/0
The thesis statement is The thesis statement is The thesis is relatively The thesis is present but There is no
clear and concise. It clear and introduces the clear and introduces does not effectively distinguishable thesis.
effectively introduces topic well. the argument in a introduce the argument. The essay begins
Thesis

the writer’s argument. satisfactory fashion. It It is vague and does not without a clear
may lack clarity or be clearly establish the key statement of its key
too general. argument or focus of the argument or purpose.
essay.
The introduction is The introduction The introduction is The introduction is The introduction is not
Introduction

clear and interesting. effectively previews the satisfactory as a distinguishable but is not present or is part of
It follows the “triangle” content of this essay. It “preview” of the essay. very successful at the body of the essay.
format very well – it is fairly successful at It is somewhat previewing the contents It does not invite the
draws the reader into drawing the reader into it successful at drawing of the essay. It does not reader to keep
the essay and contains and contains a hook. the reader into it. seem very interesting/ reading. It may be
an effective hook. appealing to the reader. confusing or unclear.

Topic sentences are Topic sentences are clear Most topic sentences The essay contains some Topic sentences are
Sentence

clear and effectively and effectively introduce are effective but they topic sentences but they difficult to find.
introduce each each paragraph. do not always do not reflect the content Paragraphs begin
paragraph. They also accurately reflect the of each paragraph. without a clear topic
Topic

effectively relate to content of the sentence.

and support the thesis. paragraph.
s

The conclusion The conclusion is The conclusion ties up The conclusion does not The concluding
effectively summarizes effective at re-stating the all the loose ends in a tie up all the loose ends. paragraph is missing.
Conclusio

the argument, re- key arguments and the satisfactory fashion. It is short/the essay just
states key ideas and thesis. The re-statement of ends.
the thesis. thesis and arguments
may be cursory or
n

missing.

The essay is very well The essay is well Organization is This essay does not have This essay lacks proper
organized. It exhibits organized. It exhibits satisfactory. Essay a consistent focus. Some organization. Ideas
command of focus, command of focus, exhibits some attempt at organization seem to be thrown
Organization

coherent organization, coherent organization, command of focus and is visible but the essay is together without a
and interesting and interesting is developed fairly not structured well. The consistent sense of
development. Body development. Body well. Most body writer “jumps” from idea development or focus.
paragraphs develop paragraphs develop most paragraphs develop to idea and the It reads like a random
ideas well and the ideas well and the some ideas well and information seems to collection of ideas.
argument flows very argument flows the argument flows for lack purpose.
well throughout the throughout the essay. the most part.
essay.
Arguments are very Arguments are well Supporting details and Supporting details and Supporting details and
well supported (with supported. The author information are information are relevant, information are
insightful examples, uses specific examples, relevant, but some key but several key issues missing, unclear, or
arguments, and arguments, and details issues are are unsupported. Main not related to the
Support

details). The essay to support key ideas. The unsupported. The main idea is somewhat clear topic. There is a
includes quotes/ response includes some idea is clear but the but there is need for seemingly random
passages from the text quoted material and supporting information more supporting collection of
and a strong analysis some analysis of its is too general. information. information.
of their significance. significance.

Exhibits excellent Exhibits excellent Exhibits a satisfactory Exhibits a weak There are many
command of command of expression command of command of expression grammar or spelling
expression (grammar, (grammar, sentence expression (grammar, (grammar, sentence errors that distract the
Command of

sentence structure, structure, sentence sentence structure, structure, sentence reader from the
Expression

sentence variety). The variety). There are only sentence variety). The variety). There are content. Most
writer does not make minor errors and they prose flows relatively many errors which sentences are
any mistakes and the are minor and do not well but there are impede the flow of this awkward and poorly
prose flows impede the flow of this errors and they essay. Many sentences constructed. The piece
exceedingly well. essay. occasionally impede are awkward and poorly does not flow.
the flow of this essay. constructed.
 Responds precisely to Responds precisely to Some key concepts, The response does not The response lacks a
topic, indicating an topic, indicating an themes, issues, ideas address many key proper analysis of key
excellent grasp of the excellent grasp of the are identified, concepts, themes, concepts, ideas,
Comprehension
Knowledge and

topic. All key concepts, topic. Most key concepts, explained, and issues, or ideas. Some themes, and issues.
themes, issues, ideas themes, issues, ideas are analyzed. This ideas are identified but There is no critical
are thoroughly identified, explained, and response indicates a the explanation is analysis of the
identified, explained, analyzed well. This satisfactory limited. This response material. The response
and analyzed. The response indicates a understanding of the indicates a limited/partial is very vague, general,
essay indicates an good understanding of material. understanding of the and/or short.
exceptional the material. material.
understanding of the
material.

_________/40 = _________ %

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