5
Thesis
The thesis statement is
clear, well-developed
and relevant to the
topic.
Expository Essay Rubric
Evidence
Analysis
Organization
(Concrete Details)
(Commentary)
Style/Audience
Transitions within and
There are four well
All commentary
The style is engaging
between paragraphs flow chosen, concrete details synthesizes concrete
and effective.
smoothly.
from the text in each details and supports the
paragraph. **The
thesis statement.**
concrete details support
the thesis.
The structure within
There are four concrete
All commentary
The style is
paragraphs is clear and details from the text in
explains concrete
appropriate for an
easy to follow.
each paragraph. The details and supports the
academic paper.
concrete details support
thesis statement.
the thesis.
4
The thesis statement is
clear and relevant to the
topic.
3
The thesis statement is
There are clear
somewhat relevant to introduction, body, and
the topic and/or
conclusion paragraphs.
somewhat clear.
2
The thesis statement is The essay is missing an
not clear.
introduction, body or
concluding paragraph.
1
The thesis statement is There is no organization
missing or off topic.
to the essay.
Conventions
The essay contains
few if any errors in
the conventions* of
the English language.
(Errors are generally
first-draft in nature.)
The essay contain
some errors in the
conventions* of the
English language.
(Errors do not
interfere with the
reader’s understanding
of the essay.)
There are two to three
Some or most
The style is
The essay contains
concrete details from the commentary explains sometimes appropriate several errors in the
text.
the concrete details and for an academic paper. conventions* of the
AND/OR
supports the thesis
English language.
Some concrete details
statement.
(Errors may interfere
from the text support the
AND/OR
with the reader’s
thesis.
Commentary re-states
understanding of the
concrete detail.
essay.)
There are some concrete
Some or all
The style is rarely
The essay contains
details.
commentary is unclear appropriate for an
serious errors in the
or irrelevant and does
academic paper.
conventions* of the
not support the thesis
English language.
statement.
(Errors interfere with
the reader’s
understanding of the
essay.)
There are no concrete
The writer does not
The style is never
The paper is
details.
include commentary.
appropriate for an
incomprehensible
academic paper. because of the number
of convention* errors.
* Conventions of the English language refer to grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization and usage.
** Details from text must be cited appropriately and all commentary must be of the writer’s own views and thoughts. Plagiarism is not tolerated and will result in a
zero for the assignment.