Comparative Essay Rubric
Criteria
R (0-49%)
No Lead
Knowledge
No Thesis Statement
No comparisons made.
-Introduction
Lacks clear or distinguishable
main ideas.
Lacks clear comparisons
Does not summarize arguments
Does not bring closure to essay
-Body
-Conclusion
Thinking
- Thesis
-Compare
-Contrast
-Secondary
Sources
-Use of sources.
Thesis brings no unity to essay
No logic, objectivity or
coherence in arguments
No examples are used from
research
Student does not provide
secondary sources.
Communication
-Devices
-Diction/Voice
-Grammar
-Punctuation
-Spelling
-Flow and Style
Application
-Paragraph
Structure
-Persuasive
Tone
-Unified,
Coherent,
Emphatic
- APA
Does not use appropriate
diction
Numerous errors is grammar
Numerous errors in spelling
Numerous errors in punctuation
Shows no command of essay
structure, flow and style
No use of transitions
Student makes frequent errors
in voice and tense throughout
their paper
Total:
/40
No comparison in essay
No clear paragraph structure.
No meaning evident in essay.
Does not incorporate literary
element.
Does not address thematic
components of the text.
Numerous errors in APA
Format
Works Cited page is not
included in essay
Student does not have a title or
utilize proper MLA paragraph
structure
Level 1 (50-59%)
Student Name:
Level 2 (60-69%)
Level 3 (70-79%)
Level 4 (80-100%)
Uninspiring lead.
Unstructured thesis statement
Organizes comparative material
with limited effectiveness.
One to two topics unspecific or
vague in their connection to the
thesis.
One good comparison per
argument.
Limited summary of arguments.
Brings limited closure to essay.
Adequate Lead
Adequately structured thesis
statement
Somewhat effective organization
of comparative material.
Two to three topics somewhat
connected to thesis.
Two good comparisons per
argument.
Some summary of main ideas in
the conclusion.
Brings some closure to essay.
Considerable Lead
Considerably structured thesis
statement
Considerable organization of
comparative material.
Three topics considerably
connected to thesis.
Three good comparisons per
argument.
Summarizes main ideas in the
conclusion with a high degree of
effectiveness.
Brings closure to essay
Excellent Lead
Perfectly structured thesis
statement
Clear and thorough organization
of comparative material.
Topics exceptionally linked to
thesis.
Three excellent comparisons per
argument.
Summarizes main ideas in
conclusion with a high degree of
effectiveness.
Brings closure to essay.
Vague thesis is disconnected from
essay
Limited comparisons and
contrasts made between two texts.
Literary elements are incorporated
with limited effectiveness and do
not provide depth to student’s
analysis.
1 comparisons is in essay and
provides limited proof of
arguments
Student uses few pieces of
evidence and proof throughout
their essay, making their
arguments lack persuasiveness.
Adequate thesis statement that
brings some unity to the essay
Some effective comparisons and
contrasts made between two texts.
Literary elements are incorporated
somewhat effectively and provide
some depth to student’s analysis.
2 comparisons are used to
somewhat prove arguments.
Student uses some secondary
sources throughout essay with
some effectiveness.
Effective, focused thesis
statement that unifies the essay
Strong and effective
comparisons and contrasts made
between two texts.
Literary elements are
incorporated effectively and
provide considerable depth to
student’s analysis.
3-4 comparisons are used to
considerably prove arguments.
Support and secondary sources
used are considerably effective
in supporting student’s own
ideas and analysis.
Uses diction with limited
effectiveness
Frequent errors is grammar
Frequent errors in spelling
Frequent errors in punctuation
Displays limited command of
essay structure, flow and style
Limited use of transitions
Student frequently uses an
informal voice
Student switches tense
consistently
Comparative elements are
confusing and paragraph structure
demonstrates limited
effectiveness.
Student uses literary element
infrequently as a method to link
both texts with limited
effectiveness.
Limited meaning evident in essay.
Literary element is incorporated
into essay with limited
effectiveness, while addressing
few, thematic components of
texts.
Frequent errors in APA Format
Limited use of structure in Works
Cited page
Frequent errors in APA paragraph
structure and poor title
Somewhat uses diction effectively
Some errors is grammar
Some errors in spelling
Some errors in punctuation
Displays some command of essay
structure, flow and style
Some use of transitions
At times, student uses an informal
voice in their paper
Student switches tenses at times in
their paper
Uses appropriate diction
considerable effectiveness
Few errors is grammar
Few errors in spelling
Few errors in punctuation
Displays considerable command
of essay structure, flow and style
Considerable use of transitions
Student considerably uses
appropriate voice throughout
Student considerably uses in
proper tense
Comparative elements are
focused, arranged considerably
with good paragraph structure.
Student regularly uses literary
element as a method to link both
texts with considerable
effectiveness.
Considerable meaning applied to
essay.
Literary element is considerably
incorporated into essay while
addressing essential, thematic
components of texts.
Few errors in APA Format
Works Cited page utilizes good
structure
Good APA paragraph structure
and interesting title
Insightful, thought-provoking
thesis statement that unifies the
essay
Strong, insightful and effective
comparisons and contrasts made
between two texts.
Literary elements are
incorporated very effectively
and provide exceptional depth to
student’s analysis.
5-6 comparisons are used to
effectively prove all arguments.
Support and secondary sources
used are very effective in
supporting student’s own ideas
and analysis.
Uses appropriate diction with
high degree of effectiveness
No errors is grammar
No errors in spelling
No errors in punctuation
Displays extensive command of
essay structure, flow and style
Excellent use of transitions
Student consistently uses the
appropriate voice throughout
Student remains in proper tense
Comparative elements are
somewhat confusing at times, and
paragraph structure makes it
difficult to follow student’s
comparisons.
Student somewhat uses literary
element as a method to link both
texts with some effectiveness.
Adequate meaning applied to
essay.
Literary element is incorporated
into essay somewhat effectively,
while addressing some, thematic
components of texts.
Some errors in APA Format
Works Cited page is adequate
Adequate APA paragraph
structure and title
Comparative elements are
focused, arranged very
effectively with logical
paragraph structure.
Student consistently uses
literary element as a method to
link both texts with a high
degree of effectiveness.
Excellent meaning applied to
essay.
Literary element is effectively
incorporated into essay while
addressing essential, thematic
components of texts.
No errors in APA Format
Works cited page is perfect
Perfect APA paragraph structure
and intriguing title
Mark
/10
/10
/10
/10