Personal Essay
Criteria for Success/Rubric
I can use appropriate support to develop a main idea.
The paper includes a statement of purpose
3
2
1
The paper directly answers the prompt
3
2
1
There is one main idea explained throughout the essay
3
2
1
There is a connection made between the story or example
and the main idea/prompt
3
2
1
The introduction takes the reader into a “moment” or
“grabs” the reader by an emotion
3
2
1
There are appropriate transition words between ideas/
examples
3
2
1
The paper includes purposeful paragraph breaks
3
2
1
There is a logical order to ideas presented
3
2
1
Includes proper MLA format
3
2
1
I can structure my writing around a purpose.
I can choose words that best express what I am trying to say.
The writer chooses words that convey the appropriate
connotation and denotation/avoids general words
3
2
1
The writer avoids redundant phrasing
3
2
1
I can utilize correct rules of grammar and punctuation in my writing.
The writer correctly uses punctuation
3
2
1
The writer avoids sentence fragments/run-ons
3
2
1
The writer uses proper sentence structure
3
2
1
The writer has used correct spelling and capitalization
3
2
1
______/45