Name/Period/Seat: _______________________________________
COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY RUBRIC
CATEGORY
Purpose &
Supporting
Details
Exceeds the Standard (A)
The paper compares and
contrasts items clearly, points to
specific examples to illustrate the
comparison, and includes only the
information relevant to the
comparison.
Meets the Standard (B-C)
The paper compares and
contrasts items clearly, but the
supporting information is general.
The paper includes only the
information relevant to the
comparison.
Does Not Meet the Standard (D-F)
The paper compares and contrasts
items clearly, but the supporting
information is incomplete, and may
include information that is not
relevant to the comparison.
Organization &
Structure
The paper breaks the information
into point-by-point or block-byblock structure. It follows a
consistent order when discussing
the comparison.
The paper breaks the information
into point-by-point structure or
block-by-block, but may not follow
a consistent order when
discussing the comparison.
Organizational pattern not
identifiable. Some details are not in
a logical or expected order, and this
distracts the reader.
Transitions
The paper moves smoothly from
one idea to the next and uses
transition words and subtle
transitions to show relationships
between ideas.
Writer makes no errors in
grammar or spelling that distract
the reader from the content.
The paper moves from one idea
to the next, but may lack or
misuse transition words to show
relationships between ideas.
Transitions may be missing;
connections between ideas are fuzzy
or illogical.
Writer makes 1-2 errors in
grammar or spelling that distract
the reader from the content.
Writer makes several errors in
grammar or spelling that distract the
reader from the content.
Grammar &
Spelling
(Conventions)
THREE-SUBJECT COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
Using what you have learned about the society of 1984 and life in North Korea, write an essay of at least five
paragraphs in which you effectively compare and contrast those two societies with that of the United States.
Some points you may choose to cover:
 Privacy
 Free speech
 The role of technology
 Personal isolation
 Orwell’s predictions vs. what has come (or may yet come) to pass
1.
2.
3.
4.
The essay must be clearly organized, either point-by-point or block-by-block.
Include a minimum of three points of comparison/contrast.
Focus on smooth transitions that help illuminate the relationships between the ideas in the paper.
At this point in the year, I expect you to be capable of producing an error-free essay. More than three
serious errors in grammar and spelling will result in my returning the paper to you for correction, and it
will be considered a missing assignment with a grade of zero until a corrected copy is turned in.
5. As always, type your paper using MLA format in Times New Roman 12 point font, double-spaced, with
1” margins. Use a proper MLA heading and remove all extra spaces (set line spacing to zero, not auto).
6. ALL ESSAYS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO TURNITIN.COM by the due date. Directions will be posted.
7. Submit the rubric with the assignment, but please do not staple it to your paper.
VALUE: 100 POINTS
ASSIGNED: 2/10/11
NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED
DUE: 2/29/11