Informational Compare/Contrast Essay Rubric B
Name:
________________________________________
CATEGORY
Introduction
(Lead)
4
The introduction creatively
invites and grabs the
reader’s attention, states
the main topic and previews
the structure of the paper.
Lead bridges thesis.
3
The introduction clearly
states the main topic and
previews the structure of
the paper, grabbing the
reader’s attention as well.
Lead bridges thesis.
Thesis
Thesis clearly states the
main idea and identifies
what is being compared or
contrasted but also uses
sophisticated diction
A strong topic sentence
frames each body
paragraph. The structure of
each sentence is formal and
grammatically correct.
Relevant, impressive details
give the reader important
information that goes
beyond the obvious or
predictable.
Thesis clearly states the
main idea and identifies
what is being compared or
contrasted.
Body Paragraphs
(Commentary)
Commentary explains how
concrete details support
topic sentence showing
effective analysis and
moving to synthesis.
Commentary explains how
concrete details support
topic sentence showing
effective analysis.
Body Paragraphs
(Sequencing)
All details are placed in a
logical order (TS, CD, CM)
and the way they are
presented effectively
maintains the block or
point-by-point structure
Impressive transitions are
used to connect
 the topic sentences to
the thesis,
 concrete details to topic
sentences/thesis, and
 commentary to
concrete details/topic
sentences/thesis.
Body Paragraphs
(Topic Sentences)
Body Paragraphs
(Concrete Details)
Coherence
(Transitions)
Conclusion
The conclusion is
impressive:
 restates the thesis,
 summarizes the body of
essay and
 leaves the reader with a
synthesized statement.
Score ______
Mastery Level ___
2
The introduction states
main topic, but does not
adequately preview the
structure of the paper
and/or is particularly
inviting to the reader.
Weak bridge to thesis.
Thesis underdevelops
main idea and/or what is
being compared or
contrasted.
1
Introduction does
not adequately
state topic, preview
the structure or
grab reader’s
attention. Weak or
no bridge thesis.
Thesis either states
main idea or what
is being compared
or contrasted but
not both.
Topic sentences are
weak and/or are
missing from some
paragraphs.
0
There is no clear
introduction of the
main topic or
structure of the
paper. No bridge.
No thesis given.
A topic sentence
effectively frames each
paragraph. The sentence
is grammatically correct.
Some topic sentences do
not frame the paragraphs
well.
Relevant, specific details
give the reader important
information and are
sufficient in quantity to
fully support the thesis.
Supporting details and
information mostly
support the thesis & are
relevant. Some
paragraphs need more
details to develop the
thesis.
Commentary missing
and/or underdeveloped
for some concrete
details. Some
commentary may be
irrelevant.
Supporting details
and information are
weak or irrelevant
and scattered
throughout the
piece.
No relevant
supporting details
are given.
Commentary is
missing in sections,
underdeveloped,
and/or irrelevant.
No commentary is
given.
All details are placed in a
logical order which
maintains the block or
point-by-point structure
Some details are not in a
block or point-by-point
order, and this distracts
the reader.
There is no
evidence of
organization of
ideas.
Effective transitions are
used to connect
 the topic sentences to
the thesis,
 concrete details to topic
sentences/thesis, and
 commentary to
concrete details/topic
sentences/thesis.
Transitions are used, but
many do not effectively
make connections
between
 topic sentences and
the thesis, and/or
 concrete details and
topic sentences/thesis,
and/or
 commentary and
concrete details/topic
sentences/thesis.
The conclusion is missing
some elements of essay
but still ties up almost all
the loose ends.
Many details are
not in a logical or
expected order.
There is little sense
that the writing is
organized.
Few transitions are
used to connect
ideas or most
transitions are
ineffective.
The conclusion is
underdeveloped &
missing 2 or more
key components. It
does not tie up
several loose ends.
There is no clear
conclusion, the
paper just ends.
The conclusion is strong :
 restates the thesis,
 summarizes the body of
essay and
 ties up all loose ends.
No topic sentences
are given for the
body paragraphs.
No transitions are
used to connect
ideas.
Grammar and
Usage
The essay contains no
errors in grammar or usage.
The essay contains no
errors in grammar or
usage that distract the
reader from the content.
The essay contains 1-2
errors in grammar and/or
usage that distract the
reader from the content.
Mechanics
The essay contains no
errors in capitalization,
punctuation, or spelling.
The essay contains no
errors in capitalization,
punctuation, or spelling
that distract the reader
from the content.
The essay 1-2 errors in
capitalization,
punctuation, or spelling
that distract the reader
from the content.
Sentence
Structure
Sentences are skillfully
constructed.
All sentences are wellconstructed.
Sentence Variety
Every paragraph uses an
impressive variety of
sentences.
The writer uses appropriate
MLA format for in-text
citations and Works Cited
page. No errors noted.
Every paragraph has
sentences that vary in
length, type, & structure.
The writer uses
appropriate MLA format
for in-text citations and
Works Cited page, but
essay contains one or two
minor errors.
Most sentences are wellconstructed, but the
essay contains 1-2
fragments and/or run-on
sentences that distract
the reader from the
content.
Some paragraphs have
sentences that vary in
length, type, & structure.
The writer attempts to
use appropriate MLA
format for in-text
citations and Works Cited
page, but essay contains
several errors.
MLA Citation
The essay contains
3-4 errors in
grammar and/or
usage that distract
the reader from the
content.
The essay 3-4 errors
in capitalization,
punctuation, or
spelling that
distract the reader
from the content.
The essay contains
3-4 fragments
and/or run-on
sentences that
distract the reader
from the content.
Multiple errors in
grammar and/or
usage distract the
reader from the
content.
Sentences rarely
vary in length, type,
or structure.
The writer uses
MLA format
sparingly. Errors
occur in one or
more of the
following areas
 documentation
missing for some
citations.
 documentation
format is
incorrect.
 works missing
from Works Cited
page.
 formatting
errors on Works
Cited page.
No sentence
variety.
Multiple errors in
capitalization,
punctuation, or
spelling distract the
reader from the
content.
Multiple errors in
sentence
construction
distract the reader
from the content.
The writer shows
no understanding
of MLA format for
documentation.