Lincoln Essay Rubric
Above Standard
Meets Standard
Approaches Standard
Below Standard
Missing
Evidence
Student provides two
pieces of primary
evidence and one piece
of secondary evidence
that are especially strong
in proving the point.
Student provides two
pieces of primary
evidence and one
piece of secondary
evidence that support
the point.
Student provides two
pieces of primary
evidence and one piece of
secondary evidence, and
some of this evidence
effectively supports the
point.
Student does not
provide the required
amount of primary or
secondary evidence
to support their point.
Student does
not provide
evidence in their
essay.
Introduction and
Explanation of
Evidence
Quotes/evidence are
introduced the correct
way and the explanation
effectively tells the reader
how the evidence
supports the point.
Quotes/evidence are
introduced the correct
way and the
explanation tells the
reader how the
evidence supports the
point.
Quotes/evidence are
missing some elements of
introduction and the
explanation is lacking.
Quotes/evidence are
not introduced
correctly and the
explanation does not
tell the reader how
the evidence
supports the point.
No introduction
to quotes/
evidence and no
explanation of
quotes/evidence
.
Organization
The essay contains an
introduction, three body
paragraphs, and a closing
with all of the elements of
an introduction, PEET,
and closing included &
exceptional.
The essay contains an
introduction, three
body paragraphs, and
a closing with all of
the elements of an
introduction, PEET,
and closing included.
The essay contains an
introduction, three body
paragraphs, and a closing
with most of the elements
of an introduction, PEET,
and closing included.
The essay is missing
one part (the
introduction, a PEET
paragraph, or a
closing.)
The essay is
missing more
than one part.
These statement is an
exceptionally clear,
detailed argument.
Thesis statement is a
clear, detailed
argument.
Thesis statement is a
clear argument.
Thesis statement is
not an argument.
No thesis
statement.
Essay written in the past
tense when about history.
There are virtually no
grammar or spelling
mistakes.
Essay is written in the
past tense when
about history. There
might be one or two
minor grammar or
spelling mistakes.
Essay is written in the
past tense when about
history. There are several
clear grammar or spelling
mistakes.
Essay switches
tenses when talking
about history. There
are many grammar
or spelling mistakes.
Cannot
understand the
essay because
of grammar,
tense, or
spelling errors
Thesis Statement
Grammar/
Conventions/
Spelling