Tri A English 11 Common Writing Assessment : Rubric
4—Sophisticated
Ideas & Content
Essay has an insightful thesis
statement that identifies the author
chosen and clearly expresses the
student’s thoughtful position on the
author’s writing.
3—Proficient
Ideas and Content
Essay has a concise thesis statement
that identifies the author chosen
and clearly expresses the student’s
unique position on the author’s
writing.
2—Sufficient
Ideas & Content
Essay has a concise thesis
statement that identifies the
author chosen and clearly
expresses the student’s position
on the author’s writing.
1—Insufficient
Ideas & Content
Essay has a thesis statement
that identifies either the author
chosen and states the student’s
position on the author’s writing.
Student selects specific, ample
support to reveal the connection
between literary works and author’s
life and ideology.
Student gives specific support to
help readers understand relevant
texts and author’s significance.
Student gives sufficient support
that to help readers understand
relevant texts and author’s
significance.
Student gives support that may
be insufficient to help readers
understand texts.
Student effectively combines a
variety of logical, emotional, and
ethical appeals to persuade the
reader.
Student uses a variety of convincing
and effective logical, emotional, and
ethical appeals to persuade the
reader.
Student uses a variety of logical,
emotional, and ethical appeals to
persuade the reader.
Student’s use of logical,
emotional, and ethical appeals
lacks variety.
Essay ends with a unifying
conclusion that establishes the
significance and influence of the
author’s contribution.
Structure & Organization
The essay moves beyond 5paragraph structure with a clear
beginning, middle, and end.
Essay ends with a conclusion that
establishes the significance of the
author’s contribution.
Essay ends with a conclusion that
includes a restatement of the
reasons for the student’s
position.
Structure & Organization
The essay has a clear structure,
including introduction, body, and
conclusion.
Essay ends with a conclusion
that restates the student’s
position.
Arrangement of paragraphs
demonstrates control to enhance
persuasive argument.
Arrangement of paragraphs
enhances persuasive argument.
Arrangement of paragraphs
makes sense to persuade the
audience.
Arrangement of paragraphs may
distract the audience from the
argument.
Student consistently uses
transitional words and phrases
within and between paragraphs.
Student uses transitional words and
phrases that clearly reinforce the
connection between the details and
the thesis statement.
Sentence Fluency & Word Choice
Writing exhibits sentence variety
including effective use of simple,
compound and complex sentences.
Student uses transitional words
and phrases that articulate the
connection between the details
and the thesis statement.
Sentence Fluency & Word Choice
Writing exhibits some sentence
variety including use of simple,
compound and/or complex
sentences.
Student attempts to use
transitional words and phrases.
Writing exhibits sophisticated
control and understanding of
academic language and vocabulary.
Conventions
Spelling, capitalization, and usage
are standard. Punctuation
enhances meaning.
Writing exhibits consistent use of
academic language and vocabulary.
Writing exhibits occasional use of
academic language and
vocabulary.
Conventions
Spelling, capitalization,
punctuation, and usage are
mostly standard.
Writing exhibits casual, informal
language.
A variety of signal words are used
throughout. Parenthetical citations
are correct.
Signal words are used effectively.
Parenthetical citations are correct.
Signal words and parenthetical
citations are mostly correct.
Signal words and parenthetical
citations are used inconsistently.
Sentence Fluency & Word Choice
Writing exhibits purposeful
sentence variety including effective
use of simple, compound and
complex sentences.
Structure & Organization
The essay moves beyond 5paragraph structure with a clear
beginning, middle, and end.
Conventions
Spelling, capitalization, punctuation,
and usage are standard.
Structure & Organization
The essay has a clear structure,
including introduction, body,
and conclusion.
Sentence Fluency & Word
Choice
Writing relies heavily on simple
sentences.
Conventions
Use of conventions is weak and
may distract reader.