Topic Sentence
5
4
3
2
1
The paragraph has an
The paragraph has a
The topic sentence
The topic sentence is
There is no clear topic
engaging and
clear and thoughtful
contains the main idea
relatively clear and
sentence.
thoughtful topic
topic sentence that
of the question or
addresses the main
sentence that
refers to the main idea.
assigned topic.
point fairly well.
introduces the main
idea.
Main Body/
The paragraph
The paragraph
The paragraph
The paragraph
The paragraph
Supporting
contains at least three
contains at least three
contains at least three
contains a few
contains no clear
Sentences
sentences that support
sentences that support
supporting sentences.
supporting sentences
supporting sentences.
the main ideas with
the main idea with
The details in these
that support the main
carefully chosen
reasons, details or
sentences elaborate on
idea.
reasons, details, or
facts. The details are
the main topic fairly
facts. The details are
well organized,
well.
logical, well organized
interesting and
and linked together
elaborate on the main
with internal
topic of the paragraph.
transitions. The
sentences elaborate on
the topic sentence.
Conclusion
The conclusion ties up
The conclusion wraps
The conclusion wraps
The conclusion repeats
There is no evidence of
the paragraph without
up the paragraph and
up the paragraph fairly
the introduction.
a conclusion.
repeating the topic
refers to the main idea
well and refers to the
sentence. A though
without repeating it.
main idea.
provoking or insightful
comment concludes
the paragraph.
Conventions
Demonstrates superior
Demonstrates correct
Spelling, punctuation
Some spelling,
Frequent misspelled
control of spelling,
spelling, correct use of
and capitalization
punctuation and
words, misused or
punctuation, and
punctuation and
errors occur but do
capitalization errors
missing punctuation
capitalization.
capitalization. Proper
not detract from the
occur that detract from
and capitalization
Vocabulary is rich,
use of grammar and
overall quality of the
the overall quality of
greatly detract from
varied, and precise.
vocabulary. Work is
essay. Contains some
the essay. Occasional
the overall quality and
Work is legible,
legible and correctly
minor grammar errors.
grammar errors.
understanding of the
correctly formatted,
formatted.
Few vocabulary words
Vocabulary words are
essay. Frequent
are misused or
misused or inaccurate.
grammar errors.
inaccurate. Evidence of
Evidence of revision
Vocabulary words are
revision and
and proofreading is
misused. No evidence
proofreading is
less apparent. Two or
of revision and
obvious.
more mistakes are
proofreading.
One or more mistakes
made in formatting.
Formatting is incorrect.
and visually pleasing.
are made in
formatting.
Explanatory Paragraph Rubric