Expert (Expository) Essay Rubric
NAME___________________________
BLOCK______________
Due date _________
Objectives:
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Demonstrate your ability to focus a multi-paragraph expository essay around a single, central idea.
Demonstrate your ability to elaborate in support paragraphs with details and examples/illustrations.
Demonstrate your ability to craft a skilled lead and closure appropriate for your topic and audience.
Demonstrate your ability to use appropriate and purposeful transitions to connect and unify your points.
Assignment: Draft an expert essay on a topic that you know well enough to explain to your audience. Confer with your teacher about something specific and revise the piece. Edit the
piece, with particular attention to the target skills established in class, including mandatory use of compound sentences. Always keep rubric out and visible while working on your
research report! Must be 5 full paragraphs using expository essay format. May use research as long as cited properly.
My topic
4
Central Idea
& Unity
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Clearly focused central idea
All parts contribute to the dominant impression
Consistent point of view with no digressions
8.7D
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My strong thesis statement (an arguable, controlling statement)
My essay skeleton/outline
¶1
¶2
Elaboration
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8.7E
Organization
8.7G
TOTAL:
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All elaboration contributes to or develops central idea
Full and purposeful, with details, facts, statistics, illustrations,
examples, and/or anecdotes within sentences and paragraphs
Strong
Careful logic and order
Skilled/sophisticated lead and closure
Appropriate, purposeful, and fluid transitions
5 full paragraphs
_______x3= ____________/36
¶3
¶4
¶5
___________________%
_____I used the Printing Rules
_____I used my Individual Editing List to edit my piece
FINAL STAPLE ORDER: Rubric, Final (with skeleton labeled/highlighted), Essay skeleton with teacher comments, Peer Editing Sheet(s), Drafts, Planning. One staple in corner (see
bottom of this rubric for exact position).
Staple here
Plagiarism Contract
Plagiarism can be defined as submitting another person’s ideas, words, images, or data without giving that person
credit or proper acknowledgement. Plagiarism, a form of academic dishonesty, is tantamount to stealing and will
not be tolerated. In order to clarify what constitutes plagiarism, you should be aware that you have committed
plagiarism when you:
• Use phrases, quotes, or ideas not your own;
• Paraphrase the word of another even though you may have changed the wording or syntax;
• Use facts or data not considered common knowledge;
• Submit a paper written for another class (academic dishonesty);
• Submit a paper from an essay service or agency even though you may have paid for it (these papers are usually
of low quality, so you probably didn’t get your money’s worth);
• Submit a paper by another person even though he or she may have given you permission to use it.
You should also note that plagiarism not only encompasses written work, but also computer data, research,
musical scores, video programs, and visual arts.
Plagiarism is a serious issue, especially in an academic environment. Teachers must be able to rely on the integrity
of a student’s word in order to maintain a climate for successful learning. Plagiarism reflects on character;
therefore, you should diligently avoid inadvertent plagiarism. When you are unsure if acknowledgement is
needed, ask your teacher. The penalties for blatant plagiarism include loss of all credit for the assignment with no
opportunity to rewrite. This may significantly lower your final grade. Furthermore, plagiarism, a form of cheating,
can result in serious disciplinary action. We will discuss methods for avoiding plagiarism as the school year
progresses.
I, _________________________________, am aware of the serious nature of plagiarism and will not
intentionally use or submit someone else’s work without acknowledgement. Furthermore, I will not misrepresent
someone else’s work as my own.
Signature ______________________________________ Date____________________
Note: You may be required to process major papers through www.turnitin.com before earning a grade. Also,
you may be required to complete a one-on-one interview with the teacher to demonstrate your knowledge of the
subject matter.