Writing 101: Rhetorical Analysis Rubric
Excellent
Assignment
20%
Content & Thesis
25%
Organization
25%
Expression
15%
Mechanics &
Usage
15%
Good
Adequate
Poor
Failing
Introduction effectively forecasts
paper.
Essay provides clear analysis and
doesn’t stray into lengthy summary.
Text to be analyzed is introduced
and cited sufficiently.
Essay meets most of the
major requirements of the
assignment.
Essay meets some of the major
requirements of the
assignment.
Essay is missing key elements of
the assignment.
Essay doesn’t fulfill a
minimum amount of
requirements of the
assignment.
Thesis statement is complex,
engaging, and concisely written.
Controlling idea is fully developed
throughout the essay with concrete
and vivid detail.
Thesis statement is clear and
insightful.
Controlling idea is developed
with consistent detail.
Thesis statement is clear.
Controlling idea is apparent
and supported with relevant
detail.
Thesis statement is too general,
vague, or confused.
Controlling idea is not
supported with specific details.
There is no discernible idea
controlling random details.
Essay is ordered in necessary steps
that reveal a sense of symmetry and
emphasis.
Paragraphs are unified and
coherent.
Transitions reveal the progress of
the argument.
Essay is ordered in necessary
steps.
Paragraphs are unified and
coherent.
Transitions aid the reader.
Order of essay is apparent.
Paragraphs are unified and for
the most part coherent.
Transitions are functional.
Order of essay is ineffective.
Paragraphs are jumbled or
underdeveloped
Transitions are unclear,
mechanical, or tedious.
Order and emphasis of essay
indiscernible.
Paragraphing is lacking or
wholly arbitrary.
Essay lacks transitions.
Sentences are varied and forceful.
Diction is fresh, precise, and
idiomatic.
Tone complements the subject,
distinguishes the writer, and defines
the audience.
Sentences are correct and
varied.
Diction is clear and
idiomatic.
Tone fits the subject, persona
and audience.
Sentences are correct but
ordinary.
Diction is generally correct
and idiomatic.
Tone is acceptable for the
subject.
Sentences are immature or
tediously patterned.
Diction is vague or not
idiomatic.
Tone is inconsistent.
Sentences are incoherent
Diction is nonstandard
Tone is indiscernible.
Essay is written in accordance with
standard usage.
Essay has clearly been proofread.
There are no serious
deviations from standard
usage.
There are few deviations from
standard usage, punctuation
and spelling.
Essay demonstrates difficulty
with fragments or comma
splices, agreement or other
distracting features in usage,
punctuation or spelling.
Essay demonstrates serious
problems with fragments,
comma splices, or other
distracting features in usage,
punctuation and spelling.