Introduction
& Thesis:
Exceeds the Standard (A)
• Uses original broad statement
• Smoothly transitions to and
explains the essay topic
Below the Standard (D-F)
• Needs a broad statement
• Needs to explain the essay topic
• Thesis is complex and clear.
• Thesis is simple, somewhat
unclear, or a restatement of the
facts of the novel
• Includes compelling examples and
quotations as evidence.
• Includes appropriate examples and
quotations as evidence.
• Thesis needs to move to the end
of introduction
• Includes weak evidence, or
insufficient evidence.
• Weaves in clear context and
introduction for each piece of
evidence
• Includes clear context for each
piece of evidence
• Includes incomplete context for
evidence
• Introduces each piece of evidence
• Introduces some evidence
• Analyzes evidence completely to
support argument
• Doesn’t analyze evidence
completely or to support argument
• Each paragraph maintains the
focus of one main idea
• Each paragraph addresses one
main idea
• Each paragraph might address
more than one main idea and/or
loses focus of central idea
• Includes a topic sentence and a
conclusion/ transition sentence
• All body paragraphs include a
topic sentence and a conclusion
sentence
• Thesis is complex, insightful, and
original.
Evidence &
Analysis:
Lord of the Flies Essay Rubric – Grade 8
Meets the Standard (B)
Approaches the Standard (C)
• Uses broad statement that relates
• Uses a broad statement, but isn’t
to the topic
relevant to the topic
• Introduces topic
• Needs a clear, complete thesis
statement
• Needs to include evidence
• Needs to include context for evidence
• Analyzes evidence completely and
insightfully to support argument
Organization
and
Structure:
• Information is logically sequenced
to support thesis
Style,
Mechanics,
and MLA
Format:
• Information presented supports
thesis
• Conclusion summarizes and begins
to synthesize main ideas
• Uses clear, sophisticated language
• Conclusion restates main ideas
• Uses clear language
• Follows all MLA format
requirements and cites quotes
correctly
• Follows most MLA format
requirements and cites quotes
correctly with 1 error
• Writes without mechanical errors
• No more than 1-2 errors in
punctuation, missing words,
spelling, capitalization
• Tense is consistent and refers to
novel in the present tense
• Contains no fragments,
FANBOYS and commas are used
appropriately
• Tense is consistent with 1-2 errors
and refers to novel in present tense
• Contains 1-2 fragments, 1-2 errors
in FANBOY/comma usage
• Most body paragraphs include a
topic sentence and a conclusion
sentence
• Conclusion is present, but needs
to reflect the content of the essay
• Uses vague language
• Follows some MLA format
requirements and cites quotes correctly
with 2-3 errors
• Some careless errors in punctuation,
missing words, spelling, capitalization
• Several errors in verb tense
consistency
• Several fragments and errors in
FANBOY/comma usage
• Needs to introduce evidence
• Needs to connect examples to thesis
statement
• Needs to analyze evidence to support
argument
• Needs to focus on only one main idea
in each paragraph
• Needs to begin each paragraph with a
topic sentence
• Needs to end each paragraph with a
conclusion sentence
• Needs to organize paragraphs in a
different sequence
• Uses confusing language
• Needs to follow MLA format
requirements and needs to cite quotes
correctly.
• Needs to proofread; numerous careless
errors present.
• Tense is inconsistent and does not refer
to novel in the present tense
• No demonstration of understanding of
subjects & verbs or FANBOY/comma
usage