Synthesis Essay Rubric
Formatting and Conventions
Textual Support and Commentary
Analysis, Synthesis, and Thesis
A- Exemplary
B- Above Average
C- Average;
complete
Thoroughly summarizes the
content from all three
sources; at times, summary
is compartmentalized to
individual articles. Thesis is
not analytical in nature, but
is supported throughout the
paper.
D/F- Below Average;
incomplete
May not refer to all three
sources; may have overemphasized one article over
another; summaries or
paraphrases are inaccurate.
Articles do not support the
student’s thesis.
Clearly and consistently
analyzes all three sources
and is able to merge them
into a unique analytical
thesis. Thesis is recursively
supported throughout the
paper.
Primarily paraphrases the
content from all three
sources, but is able to merge
them into a reasonable and
coherent analytical thesis.
Thesis is analytical and
generally well supported.
Synthesizes content from
each article naturally and
consistently; Student is able
to integrate synthesized
points with his/her own,
unique ideas and
commentary.
Student provides some
strong examples of
synthesis throughout the
paper. Student’s own,
unique ideas and
commentary are present in
the introduction and
conclusion.
Despite extensive summary,
student is able to comment
on the ideas presented in
each article.
Thesis is inconsistent and/or
unsupported.
Significant amount of
textual support to solidify
thesis. Textual support is
relevant and balanced with
commentary. Student does
not use back-to-back
citations, or long, irrelevant
quotations.
Adequate textual support to
solidify thesis. Textual
support is balanced with
commentary. Student does
not use back-to-back
citations, or long, irrelevant
quotations.
Textual support and
commentary are
unbalanced. Back-to-back
citations and long
quotations are relevant and
explained.
There is not enough textual
support to consider this
complete. Sections of this
paper are unclear and/or
unsupported.
Student accurately uses
parenthetical citations.
Student uses parenthetical
citations.
Student cites sources
incorrectly.
Student did not address
biases or counterarguments.
Anticipates and addresses
biases and counterarguments
Biases and counterarguments are not fully
developed.
Student did not address
biases or counterarguments.
Follows MLA formatting:
MLA has one or two
unobtrusive errors that do
not impede readability.
MLA has a few unobtrusive
errors that do not impede
readability.
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Full header
D/S (typed)
1” margins
Times New Roman
Complete and accurately
formatted citation.
Articles, drafts, and
brainstorms are attached.
Contains few, if any, errors
in the conventions of the
English language.
Meets the length
requirement of 3-5 pages.
 Citation is present but has a
slight formatting error.
 Citation is present but has
significant formatting
errors.
Articles, drafts, and
brainstorms are attached.
Articles and brainstorms are
attached.
Density of errors does not
impede readability.
Errors are first draft in
nature. Density of errors
impedes readability.
Meets the length
requirement of 3-5 pages.
Meets the length
requirement of 3-5 pages.
The did not use MLA
formatting or citations.
This paper is incomplete
and/or does not meet the
length requirement.