Author: __________________________________________________ Period:_____________ What grade do you think you earned? ____________
Informal Essay: Baseline Essay Rubric
The Basics
Content and
Narration:
A
Exemplary
B
Above Average
C
Average
D/F
This is not a final draft
The outline and/or rough
drafts show planning,
organization, and content
elaboration.
The outline and/or rough
drafts show planning and
organization.
Outline or rough draft is
basic, rushed, or
unnecessary.
If an outline or rough draft
was used, it did not seem to
serve a purpose.
The final draft is
professional. Spelling,
grammar, or punctuation
errors are slight and easily
overlooked.
Spelling, grammar, or
punctuation errors do not
impede readability.
Spelling, grammar, or
punctuation errors often
distract the reader but
the content message is
clear.
The density of grammar,
spelling, and/or punctuation
errors impedes readability.
Title is creative, relevant,
and compelling.
Title is relevant.
Title is generic or simple.
Title does not demonstrate
intention or creativity.
Narration is unique to
the writer and engages
the reader. Tense is
consistent.
Narration engages the
reader. Tense is
relatively consistent.
Narration is nonunique. The writer
shows a struggle with
tense.
The writer’s unique voice is
unidentifiable. Tense is
often confusing.
Prompt:
The University of __________________ decides to do away with the traditional college application process. In a
bizarre twist of fate, they have decided to filter student applicants through a stimulus-based social
experiment. After scrutinizing basic data-based applications (including class rank, GPA, extracurricular
involvement, financial status, test scores, etc.), the university panel narrows the pool of applicants down
to 10 potential students.
The ten students are taken to the Dean’s office, given a set of keys, an envelope, and a smartphone. They
are told they have a five-day furlough in which to utilize the resources however they please. Their use of
this time will determine their acceptance, but they are given no parameters or hints as to what types of
activities would impress the panels. The students are then escorted to the parking lot. The keys are for a
2015 BMW M4 convertible, the envelope holds $20,000 cash, and the phone has 2G data but no phone or
texting access.
You are one of the ten. What do you do during the five days? How do you justify your actions to the
acceptance committee?
Points and logistics:


This is an informal, pass/fail essay worth 30 points. A complete essay will PASS, an incomplete
essay will FAIL. The rubric above is a reference to the grade you would have earned if this essay
were formal.
You have the entire block period to complete this essay in full form. You may listen to headphones.
You may reference or submit notes or drafts prepared the night before.
BUZAN 2015, Coconino High School