ESSAY RUBRIC
GRADE TWELVE
COLLEGE ENGLISH
Categories
Knowledge/
Understanding
Introduction:
R
(0-49%)

Opening paragraph does not
have a lead and/or thesis
statement.
Body:

Lacks arguments. No topic
sentences for separate body
paragraphs present
Conclusion:

Does not summarize arguments;
does not bring closure to essay.
Level 1
(50-59%)
Level 2
(60-69%)
Level 3
(70-79%)
Level 4
(80-100%)

Opening paragraph has an
uninspiring lead and a vague
thesis statement.

Opening paragraph has an
adequate lead and thesis
statement.

Opening paragraph has an
interesting lead and good thesis
statement.

Opening paragraph has an excellent
lead and clear thesis statement.

Arguments reflect limited
knowledge of the text and are
unspecific to the thesis. Topic
sentences for each body
paragraph are vague and
unclear.

Main arguments reflect some
knowledge of the text, yet are
unspecific to the thesis. Topic
sentences for each body
paragraph are awkward or
unclear


All supporting arguments reflect
exceptional knowledge of the text and
are specific to the thesis; each clearly
stated in separate topic sentences


Limited summary of arguments;
attempts to bring closure to
essay.

Main arguments reflect
considerable knowledge of the
text and are specific to the
thesis; each stated in separate
topic sentences
Summarizes arguments and
brings closure to essay
Some summary of arguments
and/or closure to essay
Summarizes arguments and brings
closure to essay and provides insightful
conclusion

Total
/10
/15
Thinking
Evidence:

No quotes are used from the
primary text.

Insufficient / ineffective quotes
are used from the primary text.


Lacks separate ideas and
analysis.

Very limited analysis or
explanation of arguments and
ideas


No use of essay process

Uses the writing process with
limited effectiveness

At least 3 effective quotes are
used from the primary text but
do not adequately prove all
arguments.
Each argument has only 1
effective supporting idea with
limited analysis.

At least 4-5 effective quotes are
used from the primary text to
prove all arguments.
•
All 6 quotes used from the primary
text are highly effectively and insightfully
chosen to prove all arguments.

Each argument has 2 separate
ideas linked and analyzed
•
Each argument has 2 separate and
insightful ideas are linked and analyzed
thoroughly and accurately
Uses the writing process with
some effectiveness

Uses the writing process with
considerable effectiveness

Uses the writing process with a high
degree of effectiveness
/5
/5
/5
/15
Communication
Conveying
Meaning:

Writing is incoherent, no use of
paragraph structure and
persuasive tone.

Writing is vague, with a lack of
effective paragraph structure,
limited ideas and transitions, and
persuasive tone.


Does not demonstrate a sense
of audience nor purpose.

Demonstrates limited sense of
audience and purpose.

Uses language conventions
(diction, syntax, spelling,
grammar, and punctuation) with
limited effectiveness; several
errors



Ineffectively uses language
conventions (diction, syntax,
spelling, grammar, and
punctuation); numerous errors
Writing is somewhat focused,
arranged logically with some
paragraph structure, some
ideas and some transitions
and persuasive tone.
Demonstrates some sense of
audience and purpose.
Uses language conventions
(diction, syntax, spelling,
grammar, and punctuation)
with some effectiveness; some
errors



Writing is focused, arranged
logically with a consistent
paragraph structure, variety of
ideas are clearly expressed and
linked with considerable
transitions, and good persuasive
tone.
Demonstrates considerable
sense of audience and purpose.
Uses language conventions
(diction, syntax, spelling,
grammar, and punctuation) with
considerable effectiveness; few
errors

Writing is focused, arranged logically
with effective paragraph structure, all
ideas clearly expressed and linked with
transitions and excellent persuasive
tone.

Demonstrates an exceptional sense of
audience and purpose.

Uses language conventions (diction,
syntax, spelling, grammar, and
punctuation) with exceptional
effectiveness; almost no errors
/10
/5
/10
Application
Making
Connections:

Does not apply skills,
terminology and concepts
within a familiar context


MLA format is incomplete

Applies skills, terminology
and concepts within a
familiar context with limited
effectiveness
MLA format is somewhat
complete with several errors


Applies skills, terminology
and concepts within a
familiar context with some
effectiveness
MLA format is complete
with some errors


Applies skills, terminology
and concepts within a
familiar context with
considerable effectiveness
MLA format is complete with
few errors


Applies skills, terminology and
concepts within a familiar context
with exceptional effectiveness
MLA format is complete with no
errors
Total /50