Biographical Essay Rubric
Categories
ORGANIZATION
 Introduction
 Thesis
statement
 Topic Sentences
 Supporting
Sentences
 Conclusion
Excellent (4)





Good (3)
Introduction is
creative, includes
a very effective
hook, and
provides
important
background
information.
Thesis statement
clearly states
essay content
with main ideas.
Each topic
sentence in the
body is clearly
linked to thesis
statement and
includes specific
points.
Supporting
sentences use
ideas and details
which are highly
relevant.
Conclusion
effectively
restates the thesis
statement and
considers the
larger
implications of
the topic.





Introduction
includes an
adequate hook
and provides
important
background
information.
Thesis statement
states essay
content with
specific main
ideas.
Each topic
sentence is linked
to the thesis
statement and
includes specific
points.
Supporting
sentences use
ideas and details
which are
relevant.
Conclusion
adequately
restates the thesis
statement and
includes an
effective
concluding
thought.
COHERENCE

Each paragraph is
very coherent in
which ideas are
clearly
communicated
and very wellconnected.

Each paragraph is
generally
coherent in which
ideas are
comprehensible
to the reader and
well-connected.
SENTENCE
STRUCTURE

Sentences always
vary in length and
have proper
punctuation.
Strong evidence
of complex
sentences (e.g.
compound

Sentences often
vary in length and
have proper
punctuation.
Some evidence of
complex
sentences (e.g.
compound


Needs improvement
(2)
 Introduction
lacks an effective
hook, is not
inviting to the
reader, and/or
includes
background
information that
may not be
relevant or
logical.
 Thesis statement
lacks clarity
and/or lacks
specific main
ideas.
 Topic sentences
are unclear or are
not linked to the
thesis statement
and/or lack
specific points.
 Supporting
sentences are
somewhat clear,
but some
supporting details
are lacking,
repetitive, and/or
irrelevant.
 Conclusion fails
to clearly restate
the thesis
statement and/or
does not include
a concluding
thought.
 Some paragraphs
lack coherence in
which ideas are
not clearly
expressed and/or
well connected.


Sentences are
often short and
rarely vary in
length.
Problems with
punctuation.
Unsatisfactory (1)








Introduction is very
unclear, irrelevant,
and/or illogical.
Thesis statement
does not exist or is
highly irrelevant
and/or illogical.
Topic sentences do
not exist or are
highly irrelevant
and/or illogical.
Supporting
sentences use
limited, repetitive,
irrelevant, and/or
illogical details that
do not support the
main idea.
Conclusion is weak,
does not restate the
thesis statement and
does not include a
concluding thought.
Paragraphs clearly
lack coherence in
which ideas are
incomprehensible
and/or are
disconnected and
isolated from each
other.
Sentence structure
impairs
understanding.
Significant
problems with
punctuation/
commas.
sentences and/or
relative clauses)
with no errors.
GRAMMAR
FORMS - Infinitive
and Gerund Use

VOCABULARY


SUMMARIZING
PRESENTATION

Can effectively
use grammar
forms, especially
Infinitive and
Gerund, with
limited or no
errors.
Demonstrates
wide range of
vocabulary from
the unit (15-20
words).
Complete
mastery of
spelling.
Summarizes the
research orally
very well, very
few errors.




sentences and/or
relative clauses)
with few errors in
terms of comma
splices, fused
sentences,
fragments, and/or
word order.
Most grammar
forms are used
correctly with
only minor errors
in relation to
Infinitive and
Gerund use.
Demonstrates an
adequate range of
vocabulary from
the unit (10-14
words).
Little or no
spelling errors.

Sentences contain 
some errors in
relation to
comma splices,
fused sentences,
fragments, and/or
word order.

Problems with
grammar forms
that contain
repeated errors in
relation to
Infinitive and
Gerund use.
Limited
vocabulary range
from the unit (5-9
words).
Some spelling
errors.

Summarizes the
research orally
quite well, some
errors, but
message is
always clear.

Has some
difficulties in
summarizing the
research orally,
frequent errors
and not always
clear.





Sentences contain
many errors in
relation to comma
splices, fused
sentences,
fragments, and/or
word order.
Significant
problems with
many grammar
forms that contain
repeated errors in
relation to Infinitive
and Gerund use.
Poor vocabulary
range from the unit
(0-4 words).
Significant
problems with
spelling.
Has serious
problems in
summarizing the
research orally,
only very limited
ability to
communicate.
COMMENTS
TOTAL:
/24