“This I Believe” Essay Rubric

Name:

A B C D

Thesis/Focus One core belief is explicit and Core belief is clearly stated with Multiple beliefs are listed with Belief statement is not evident.
developed throughout essay. evidence of development. little development.
Purpose Tells a story that is grounded in Tells a story that is connected to the Tells a story that is somewhat Tells a story that is not
the events of everyday life; links belief. connected to the belief, but is connected to the belief or does
to the essence of daily life difficult to follow. not tell a story.
philosophy and to the shaping of
personal beliefs.
Organization/ Demonstrates unique or effective Demonstrates organization; maintains Demonstrates ineffective Demonstrates limited or no
Transition organization; maintains focus focus throughout; uses a variety of organization; attempts to refer organization; does not stay on
throughout; uses a variety of transitional devices. to a single topic; transitional topic; limited or no transitional
transitional devices uniquely/ devices are limited. devices.
effectively.
Details/ Unique, rich, insightful, and Effective use of relevant details Limited use of details; details Lacks details for the belief or
Elaboration effective use of details to support support the belief; details mostly tell rather than show. details do not enhance the
belief; details effectively show show rather than tell belief.
rather than tell.
Point of View Consistent use of first-person Mostly consistent use of first-person Inconsistent use of first-person Uses second person (you) point
point of view. point of view. point of view. of view.
Writer’s Craft • Rich vocabulary, vivid • Consistently varied and • Basic or limited vocabulary; • Weak vocabulary; word
• Vocabulary language; sophisticated word effective use of vocabulary; some choice
• Voice choice. clear and appropriate word incorrect word choice. interferes with meaning.
• Tone • Powerful sense of voice choice. • Emerging sense of voice. • Lacks writer's voice.
• Style throughout piece, appropriate • Strong sense of voice. • Tone preaches or judges. • Tone is unclear or negative.
for purpose. • Tone is mostly personal and • Ineffective use of sentence • Limited or no use of sentence
• Tone is consistently personal positive. variety. variety.
and positive. • Effective use of sentence
• Effective use of sentence variety.
variety to enhance voice and
meaning.

 Mechanics Few errors that do not interfere Some errors that do not seriously Many errors that sometimes Errors seriously interfere with
with meaning. interfere with meaning. interfere with meaning. meaning.