Synthesis Essay I Grading Rubric
Introduction
A paper: Author clearly uses format
of the paper to discuss 3 key
characteristics of social-change
leaders. Author’s thesis drives
discussion, and 3-4 sources are used
to support author’s claims.
B paper: Author uses
format of the paper to
discuss 3 key
characteristics of socialchange leaders. Author’s
thesis drives discussion,
and 3-4 sources are used to
support author’s
claims.Revision is needed
to make it an A paper.
C paper: Author is clearly
trying to write a synthesis
essay – but his or her
attempt is flawed in one or
more of the following ways.
Not Passing: Submission
does not demonstrate
understanding of the
correct format for the
paper, and does not fulfill
minimum requirements for
the assignment.
Introduction contextualizes issue for
readers: why should educated, informed
citizens care about this topic?
Introduction contextualizes
issue for readers but could
use some revision either for
clarity or focus
Introduction attempts to
contextualize issue for
readers but result may be
unclear or off the topic
Introduction is either lacking
or confusing.
Writer moves between
introducing the subject to
stating their thesis though
transition needs to be
smoother (less jarring).
Writer states thesis after
introduction, but a transition
is lacking, making the
introduction of the thesis
seem abrupt
Thesis clearly focuses the
writer’s position
Thesis focuses the writer’s
Position, but there may still
be questions the 3 chosen
characteristics
Each paragraph contains a separate
idea, related to the thesis, and
appropriate for support in one
paragraph.
Each paragraph contains a
separate idea, related to the
thesis, and appropriate for
support in one paragraph.
Paragraph ideas may be too
broad for one paragraph.
Main idea of paragraphs may
not be clearly related to the
thesis.
Each paragraph helps reader see why
the chosen characteristic is key for
leaders of social change movements.
Paragraphs help readers see
why the chosen characteristic
is key for leaders of social
change movements, but
connection may be more
clear in some paragraphs than
Writer moves smoothly between
introducing the subject to stating their
thesis
Thesis clearly focuses the writer’s
position
Body
Paragraphs:
The idea drives
the discussion
Use of synthesis
Writer combines sources and position
to form a cohesive, well-organized,
In some paragraphs, there
may be questions about how
paragraph helps reader see
why the chosen characteristic
is key for leaders of social
Thesis either does not
address the assignment, or
author appears to
misunderstand assignment.
Body paragraphs may not
have clear main ideas. Body
paragraphs may not relate to
the author’s thesis.
Sources are focal point of
paragraphs, not the author’s
thesis.
Throughout the essay, one or
two sources dominate. There
Synthesis Essay I Grading Rubric
supported discussion of the paragraph’s
main idea.
The connection between the
paragraph’s main idea and sources is
clearly established
Author is clearly using sources to
support his/her point: the idea IS
driving the discussion, not the sources.
Throughout the essay, at least three
sources are used effectively to support
the thesis identified in the introduction.
Use of sources is balanced (no one
source dominates).
in others.
change movements.
Writer combines sources and
position to form a cohesive,
well-organized,
supported discussion of the
paragraph’s main idea though
this may still need some work
Writer attempts to combine
sources and position to form
a cohesive, well-organized,
supported discussion of the
paragraph’s main idea.
The connection between the
paragraph’s main idea and
sources is established though
it may still need
strengthening.
Author is using sources to
support his/her point: the
idea IS trying to drive the
discussion, not the source -but this may need
strengthening.
Throughout the essay, at least
three sources are used
effectively to support the
thesis identified in the
introduction. Use of sources is
balanced (no one source
dominates).
Body
paragraphs:
SEE paragraph
format
Each body paragraph uses the SEE
paragraph format (Statement,
Evidence, Explanation) to lead
readers through an examination of
Each body paragraph uses
the SEE paragraph
format (Statement,
Evidence, Explanation) to
is no evidence of synthesis in
the essay.
Essay summarizes sources
rather than synthesizes
Writer may misread sources
or drifts to other tangents
Author attempts to make
connections between the
paragraph’s main idea and
sources
Author attempts to use
sources to support his/her
point but may not be
successful at this consistently.
Throughout the essay, at least
three sources are used
effectively to support the
thesis identified in the
introduction. Author needs to
work on making sure no one
source dominates throughout
the essay.
Body paragraphs may use
the SEE format, but not too
successfully (elements may
be missing or not fully
developed – evidence may
Body paragraphs may
demonstrate confusion
about the SEE format.
Elements may be missing
or not fully developed.
Synthesis Essay I Grading Rubric
the THESIS.
Evidence comes from 3-4 sources,
and is skillfully integrated into the
paragraph’s discussion. Author
introduces quotes or paraphrases so
that it is clear which source is being
referred to. The verbs in the quote
introductions successfully capture the
intent of the source author
lead readers through an
examination of the
THESIS.
not support statement, or
explanation may not help
support the statement of the
paragraph)
There may still be revision
needed in terms of what the
evidence used, or the
explanation of how it
supports the paragraph
statement.
Each paragraph contains a fullydeveloped discussion of HOW the
evidence helps support the
paragraph’s main idea.
Conclusion
Conclusion does not summarize but
addresses how educated, informed
citizens should continue to think about
the issue and how the issue will affect
readers’ lives
Conclusion does not
Conclusion may be repetitive
summarize but addresses
and return to language similar
how educated, informed
to thesis
citizens should continue to
think about the issue and how
the issue will affect
readers’ lives
Conclusion is either
missing or does not help to
conclude the essay’s
discussion.
Sentence-level
work
There are no more than 2 minor
grammatical errors per page.
Spelling, comma usage, use of
complete sentences are all correct.
There may be a few more
than 2 minor grammatical
errors per page. Spelling,
comma usage, use of
complete sentences may
still need minor
proofreading.
Grammar, spelling, or
sentence-structure issues
may make it difficult to
understand the author’s
ideas.
Citation
Page numbers are given in
parentheses when example is quoted.
In-text citation is present
overall, but a few examples
may be lacking citation
There may be either a
number of minor
grammatical errors per
page, or there may be some
serious grammatical
inaccuracy in the paper.
Spelling, comma usage, use
of complete sentences may
need major proofreading.
Author is attempting to cite
text, but is mistaken about
how to do it, or how often.
Citation is either frequently
absent or incorrect.
Synthesis Essay I Grading Rubric
Evidence from videos is cited
through information in the sentence
before the example.
Citation uses correct punctuation.