Name: ___________________________
Date:_________________
Period: ________
EA-2 Writing a Definition Essay
Define your Concept of Heroism
Scoring Rubric
Scoring
Criteria
Ideas
(12)
Exemplary
Proficient
Emerging
Incomplete
4
3
2
1-0
The concept of
heroism is uniquely
and clearly defined.
The essay:
 develops all three
strategies of definition
effectively (function,
example, negation) to
define a hero
 maintains a precise
and original compound
thesis
 integrates relevant
supporting detail and
evidence (quotes
and/or paraphrases)
with parenthetical
citations and
commentary
The concept of
heroism is
sufficiently defined.
The essay:
 uses strategies of
definition (function,
example, negation) to
define a hero
 maintains a clear
compound thesis
 includes adequate
supporting detail and
evidence (quotes and/or
paraphrases) with
parenthetical citations and
commentary
The concept of
heroism is
minimally defined.
The essay:
 uses at least one
strategy of definition
to define a hero
(function, example,
negation)
 has an unclear or
unfocused thesis
 Includes inadequate
supporting detail and
evidence; may have
inconsistent citations
and/or weak
commentary
The concept of heroism
is not defined.
The essay:
 does not define a hero
using strategies of
definition (function,
example, negation)
 has no discernible thes
 lacks supporting detail,
citations, and/or
commentary
The essay:
 includes an
ineffective or partial
introduction
 has unrelated,
underdeveloped, or
formulaic support
paragraphs
 uses transitions and
topic sentences
ineffectively or
inconsistently
 provides a weak,
illogical, or repetitive
conclusion
The essay:
 Lacks an introduction
 Has minimal, absent,
or flawed support
paragraphs
 Uses few or no
transitions and topic
sentences
 Lacks a conclusion
Structure The essay:
 introduces the main
(16)
•
The essay:
 introduces the topic
idea with an engaging
with a relevant hook,
hook, bridge and
bridge and thesis
thesis.
 organizes ideas into
 organizes ideas into
support paragraphs that
focused support that
progress logically
strengthens the thesis  creates coherence with
 creates coherence with the use of transitions and
the purposeful use of a
topic sentences
variety of transitions
 provides a conclusion
and topic sentences
that follows from the
 provides an insightful
ideas presented
conclusion
Use of The essay:
The essay:
The essay:
The essay:
Language  uses consistent diction  uses diction and style
 uses diction or a
 uses flawed diction
(8)
and style appropriate
that is generally
style that is basic or
or first person slang
for an academic
appropriate for an
inappropriate to an
 lacks command of
audience
academic audience
academic audience
the conventions of
 demonstrates
 demonstrates adequate  demonstrates
standard English
command of the
command of the
partial or
capitalization,
conventions of
conventions of standard
inconsistent
punctuation,
standard English
English capitalization,
command of the
spelling, grammar,
capitalization,
punctuation, spelling,
conventions of
and usage
punctuation, spelling,
grammar, and usage
standard English
(including complex
grammar, and usage
(including complex
capitalization,
sentences)
(including complex
sentences)
punctuation,
sentences)
spelling, grammar,
and usage
(including complex
sentences)
Evidence The outline is detailed
of Writing and provides a clear
Process roadmap for the essay
(4)
The outline is completed
and provides a roadmap
for the essay
Student self- evaluation:
Strengths:
Needs:
Teacher evaluation:
Strengths:
Needs:
Total Score for Assessment:
/40
The outline is partially
completed and
provides an
incomplete roadmap
for the essay
The outline is
incomplete or missing