WRITING RUBRIC
Reader:
Paper #:
Traits
Thesis and
Support
Title:
Course:
Meets Standard
Fails Standard
1
2
 Lacks a clear, recognizable
assertion
3
4
 Has a clear, recognizable
assertion that provides focus and
direction to the essay.
Exceeds Standard
5
6
 Shows recognition of opposing
views, multiple perspectives, or
location within scholarly literature
Organization
 Lacks clear, transparent
organization. Characterized by
lack of flow and coherence
 Clear, transparent organization.
Characterized by coherence and
flow within sections. Transitions
may be formulaic or mechanical.
 Organized conceptually rather
than formulaically. Consistent
coherence and flow. Transitions
move beyond the formulaic or
mechanical.
Rhetorical
Knowledge
 Suggests a lack of
awareness of rhetorical
situation
 Demonstrates an awareness of
subject, audience, occasion, and
purpose. Stylistic choices are
appropriate for rhetorical situation.
 Consistent voice (style, tone,
and point of view appropriate to
subject, audience, occasion, and
purpose).
 Inappropriate sources that
may be poorly integrated. May
not consistently give
appropriate credit.
 Uses appropriate scholarly
sources that are well integrated in
the essay. Sources are properly
introduced. Gives appropriate credit
for sources.
 Inconsistent in following
standards of EAE and citation
style.
 Generally follows accepted
standards of edited American
English and details of appropriate
citation style.
 Engages the sources.
Demonstrates exceptional depth
of research, such as primary
research data, primary
documents, or visual sources.
 Consistent in following
standards of edited American
English and details of appropriate
citation style.
Use of Sources
Knowledge of
Conventions
Notes (only for elements of an essay that aren’t covered by the rubric):