Rubric for The Rag and Bone Shop Essay
Scoring
Elements
Focus
Controlling
Idea
Reading/
Research
Not Yet
1
1.5
Approaches Expectations
2
2.5
Meets Expectations
3
Topic is not clear
Reader is confused
Details are not relative to
the topic
Topic is somewhat clear
Little details that relate to
the topic Reader is
somewhat confused
Topic is clear
Details relate to the topic
No thesis
Unclear thesis
Clear Thesis
Little to no examples or
explanations
Wrong or no page
numbers
with no or few quotations
Doesn’t use quotation
marks
1 to 2 examples for each
main idea from the book
Not clearly explained
Quotes may miss page
numbers or be wrong
3 specific examples for each
main idea from the book
Supporting details Clearly
explained Quotes have page
numbers and quotation marks
Development
Non-developed
paragraphs (2 or fewer)
Not in paragraph format
Attempt to relate to the
topic
3 – 4 paragraphs
Must be related to the
topic
5 paragraphs – introduction, 3
body paragraphs, and a
conclusion
Must be related to the topic
Organization
Not developed sentences,
no/unclear thesis, few
Developing paragraphs that
do not relate to the topic.
Thesis Statement (claim),
3.5
Advanced
4
The reader can understand and
explain the concepts and topic
Details relate to the topic and are
well-developed
Extremely detailed thesis
More detailed explanations of
the 3 examples used for each
main idea from the book
Supporting details explicitly
explained
Quotes have page numbers and
quotation marks that are linked
to real-life experiences
5 paragraphs – introduction, 3
body paragraphs, and a
conclusion
Include detailed explanations
that relate to real-life
Detailed thesis statement.
sentences per paragraph,
not a clear claim, data,
warrant.
No supporting evidence.
Paragraphs not on topic
Conventions
Content
Understanding
Paragraphs veer off topic.
Little supporting evidence
and explanation.
5 – 8 well developed complete
sentences in the body
paragraphs, topic sentence
(claim), supporting evidence
(data), explanation (warrant)
A lot of errors in
punctuation, spelling, and
grammar
Errors make the essay
hard to read and
understand
Some errors in spelling,
grammar, and capitalization
Sentence structure is half
right
Complete sentences, correct
grammar, capitalization,
correct spelling, proper
paragraphing, correct
punctuation
Non – content specific
vocabulary or words used
inappropriately
Does not show understanding
A lot of repetition
Some content-specific vocabulary
Some repetition
May show some degree of
understanding
Content – specific vocabulary
Proper explanations of the content
Clear, complete and well
developed 6 – 9 well written
sentences in the body
paragraphs, topic sentences
(claim), clear data to support
your warrant, explanations that
relate to the text and real-life
Correct punctuation, spelling,
sentence structure, grammar –
NO ERRORS
Good and proper vocabulary
usage – no repeated words
Author explains things in a way that help
the reader understand
All content-specific vocabulary