Generic Essay Rubric
Advanced
Proficient
Basic
Does Not Meet
Expectations
The introduction
provides strong and
effective background/
context for the prompt
and clearly states the
writer’s stance on the
issue.
Ample and accurate
supportive details and
evidence (statistics,
facts, examples, and
experiences) are
provided and
effectively used to
support the claim.
Information is
attributed or cited
correctly.
The introduction
provides some effective
background/ context
for the prompt and
states the writer’s
stance on the issues.
The introduction is
present but lacks
development. The
writer’s stance is
unclear.
An attempt at an
introduction is made.
The writer’s stance is
unclear.
Details, supportive
information, and
evidence are provided.
Most details are used to
support the claim.
Information is
attributed or cited
correctly.
There is little or no use
of details, supportive
information, and
evidence to back up the
claim, and/or details
are limited and contain
misinterpreted
statements about the
topic. Information is not
correctly attributed or
cited.
Conclusion
The essay ends with a
strong and thoughtful
conclusion that
effectively emphasizes
the essay’s claim.
The essay ends with an
effective conclusion
that emphasizes the
essay’s claim.
Organization
and Clarity
The essay is very
organized throughout
and uses makes
sophisticated use of
transitions to support
understanding.
The essay is mostly
organized and clear.
There is some use of
transitions.
Mechanics
(Format,
Works Cited,
Grammar,
and Spelling)
The formatting of
quotes, paraphrased
information, and source
information adheres to
the proper formatting
guidelines. The writer
makes virtually no
grammatical,
mechanical,
punctuation, or spelling
errors.
There are minor
formatting errors but
overall, the writing
adheres to the
formatting guidelines.
The writer makes minor
errors that do not
distract the reader from
the content.
Some details,
supportive information,
and evidence are given,
but they lack
development, and/or
are not clearly used to
support the claim,
and/or contain
misinterpreted
statements. Issues with
attributing or citing
information.
A conclusion is
attempted, but it is not
especially relevant or
supportive, and/or is
merely a restatement
of ideas.
The essay lacks focus
and/or logical flow –
the point does not
remain clear
throughout. There are
few or very basic
transitions.
There are several
formatting errors.
Mechanical,
grammatical, or
punctuation errors are
distracting, but
meaning is still clear.
Introduction
and Thesis
Statement
Evidence
and Support
There is little evidence
of a conclusion. The
reader is left hanging
with no sense of
closure.
There is very little
evidence of
organization or clarity
within the essay.
Formatting does not
follow the proper
guidelines. Significant
flaws in fluency,
grammar, mechanics,
and/or proofreading
make the meaning
unclear and distract the
reader from the
content.