Rubric: Comparison-Contrast Essay
KEY TRAITS
DEVELOPMENT OF
IDEAS
4
• The introduction is appealing; the controlling idea
clearly identifies the subjects and sets up points for
comparison and contrast.
3
• The introduction could be more interesting; the
controlling idea identifies the subjects and sets
up points for comparison and contrast.
2
• The introduction is ordinary; the controlling idea
identifies the subjects and only hints at the points of
comparison and contrast.
1
• The introduction is missing.
• Relevant facts and concrete details skillfully
support each key point.
• One or two key points need more support.
• Details support some key points but are often too
general.
• The concluding section is missing.
• The concluding section effectively summarizes
the key points and leaves the reader with
something to think about.
ORGANIZATION OF
IDEAS
LANGUAGE
FACILITY AND
CONVENTIONS
• The concluding section summarizes most of the
key points.
• Details and support are irrelevant or missing.
• The concluding section gives an incomplete summary
of the key points.
• Key points and supporting details are organized
logically and effectively throughout the essay.
• The organization of key points and supporting
details is confusing in a few places.
• Most key points are organized logically, but many
supporting details are out of place.
• A logical organization is not apparent; ideas are
presented randomly.
• Transitions successfully show the relationships
between ideas.
• The essay maintains a formal style.
• A few more transitions are needed to connect
ideas.
• The style becomes informal in a few places.
• More transitions are needed throughout the comparison
to connect ideas.
• The style is informal in many places.
• Transitions are not used, making the comparisoncontrast essay difficult to understand.
• The style is inappropriate for the essay.
• Language is precise and emphasizes similarities
and differences.
• Most language is precise.
• Language is repetitive or too general at times.
• Language is inaccurate, repetitive, and too
general.
• Sentence beginnings, lengths, and structures
vary somewhat.
• Sentence structures barely vary, and some fragments
or run-on sentences are present.
• Several spelling, capitalization, and punctuation
mistakes occur.
• Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are often
incorrect but do not make reading the essay difficult.
• Sentence beginnings, lengths, and structures vary
and have a rhythmic flow.
• Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are
correct.
• Grammar and usage are correct.
• Some grammatical and usage errors are
repeated in the essay.
• Grammar and usage are incorrect in many places, but
the writer’s ideas are still clear.
• Repetitive sentence structure, fragments, and runon sentences make the writing monotonous and
difficult to follow.
• Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are
incorrect throughout.
• Many grammatical and usage errors change the
meaning of the writer’s ideas.