Philosophical Journey Rubric
Quote Checklist: _____Specific Existentialist Philosopher and Quote ____Specific Cultural/ Religious Tradition and Quote ____Specific Researched Philosopher and
Quote
Ideas and Content
/60
6
5
4
3
2
1
Statement
____Creation/Purpose
____Predestination/
Free Will
____Origin of Morals
____Afterlife
Proof
*Clear topic sentence w/
specific claim; definitive
statements
*Clear topic sentence w/
specific claim.
*Clear topic sentence, but claim
could be more specific. Some
statements are underdeveloped
or undeveloped.
*Topic sentence is somewhat
unclear. No specific claim.
Statements are minimal or
undeveloped.
*Topic sentence is unclear.
No evidence of an attempt to
develop statements.
*Writing lacks a
central idea or
purpose. No
statements made.
*Proof is masterfully
selected and integrated to
enhance the explanation of
beliefs.
*Effective proof is well
integrated and support the
explanation of beliefs.
*Proof is adequately integrated
and are relevant to the topic.
*Proof is, in some cases,
irrelevant. Awkward
integration.
*Proof is haphazard and/or
irrelevant; no clear
integration.
*Proof, if used at
all, are not
integrated and/or
are irrelevant.
Commentary
*Flawlessly ties
proof/statement including
strong comparison and
contrast; enhanced
evaluation of other
philosopher’s beliefs and
explanation of own beliefs;
*Effectively ties
proof/statement and
includes both comparison
and contrast; good
evaluation of other
philosopher’s beliefs and
explanation of own
beliefs.
*Ties proof to statement but
lacks full evaluation of other
philosopher’s beliefs and
explanation of own beliefs.
Contains basic elements of
comparison and contrast.
*Ties between proof and
statement are unclear and
lack an evaluation of other
philosopher’s beliefs and
own beliefs. Lacks
comparison or contrast.
*Ties between proof and
commentary are almost
nonexistent. No evaluation
of other philosopher’s beliefs
or own beliefs.
*No tie between
proof and
statement. No
evaluation or
explanation.
*Some words changed
around, but no real revision.
*No revision.
Revision
*Evidence of meaningful
revision.
*Revision is mostly topical.
*Evidence of meaningful
revision.
60-54
53-48
Organization
5
Paper is masterfully
written. Ideas flow together
with transitions both within
and between paragraphs.
30-27
Introduction & Conclusion
Paper is coherent and cohesive.
Ideas flow together with
transitions both within and
between paragraphs.
26-24
29-0
4
3
2
Paper is mostly coherent and
cohesive. Ideas usually flow
together with transitions both
within and between paragraphs.
23-21
Ideas sometimes flow
together with transitions
within or between
paragraphs.
20-18
Lacks transitions. Paper
is organization is
somewhat haphazard and
aimless.
17-15
1
No transitions. Paper
organization is
haphazard and
aimless.
14-0
/20
6
Intro
&
Conclusion
35-30
41-36
/30
6
Organization
*Revision is apparent, but some
of it is simply topical and not
meaningful.
47-42
Includes appropriate, wellintegrated background info
*Exceptionally mature thesis
statement contains at least 3 green
words
Conclusion is reflective of how
these beliefs will influence the
writer’s view of the purpose of life
as well as his/her future choices or
interactions.
20-18
5
Includes appropriate amount of
background info
*Mature thesis statement contains
3 green words
Conclusion is reflective of how
these beliefs will influence the
writer’s view of the purpose of life
as well as his/her future choices or
interactions and
17-16
4
3
2
1
Missing background
info; thesis is weak or
not present
Conclusion is not
reflective.
Inadequate
or missing
completely
Conclusion is somewhat reflective
of how these beliefs will influence
the writer’s view of the purpose of
life as well as his/her future
choices or interactions.
May include
background info; thesis
is present but does not
contain green words.
Conclusion is a basic
reflection of how these
beliefs will influence
the writer’s view of the
purpose of life or
his/her future choices or
interactions.
11-10
9-0
15-14
13-12
Includes background info; thesis
has a claim about the writer’s
beliefs and contains green words,
but it may be vague or overly
verbose.
Sentence Fluency, Conventions, Word Choice
Sentence
Fluency
Conventions
Word Choice
Easy flow and rhythm.
Sentences are carefully
crafted with strong and
varied structure
17-16
Writing flows; however,
connections between phrases or
sentences may be less than fluid.
Somewhat varied structure
15-14
Exceptionally strong
control of standard
writing conventions
Errors are few and
minor
10-9
Rich, broad range of
words, appropriate to
audience and purpose.
Strong control of standard
writing conventions.
Errors are few and minor
that they do not impede
readability.
8
Broad range of words,
appropriate to audience
and purpose
Control of standard writing
conventions. Minor errors,
while perhaps noticeable, do not
impede readability.
8
7
10-9
Citation format and Works Cited /20
6
No errors in either internal
citations or works cited page
20-18
TOTAL:
/40
Sentences show a high
degree of
craftsmanship, strong
and varied structure
20-18
/170
7
Variety of words that are
functional and appropriate to
audience and purpose
Writing tends to be
mechanical Occasional
awkward constructions
13-12
Limited control of
standard writing
conventions. Errors
begin to impair
readability.
6
Ordinary, lacking
interest, precision and
variety, or may be
inappropriate to audience
and purpose; generic
6
5
4
Very few errors in either
internal citations or works cited
page
17-16
Some errors in either internal
citations or works cited page,
but overall format is correct
15-14
Writing tends to be
choppy or rambling.
Many awkward
constructions
11-10
Writing is difficult to follow.
Sentences tend to be
incomplete, rambling or
awkward.
9-0
Limited control of
standard writing
conventions. Errors
impair readability
Numerous errors in usage,
spelling, punctuation,
capitalization distract the
reader and make the text
difficult to read.
4-0
Extremely limited
vocabulary; vague or
imprecise language.
5
Language is monotonous
and/or misused, detracting
from the meaning and
impact.
3
Multiple errors in either
internal citations or works
cited page
13-12
5
4-0
2
1
Internal citations or works
cited page are riddled with
errors or not present
11-10
No internal
citations or works
cited page
9-0