Compare/Contrast Essay Grading Rubric
Great
Introduction
Body
Paragraphs
Conclusion
Compare/
Contrast
Language
Quotes/
Citations
Formatting
Mechanics
All intro expectations are met:
- Attention grabbing start
-Author and title mentioned for
each story
-Brief summary of each story
-Clear well-written thesis that
includes:
-Both story titles
-Compare/Contrast Language
-Characterization, conflict, theme
-Clear topic sentence matches the
content of the paragraph and is
only 1 sentence
-Adequate and relevant examples
from the stories are given to
support the ideas in each
paragraph
-Ideas and connections to each
topic are clearly explained
-Ideas are focused and on topic
-Clearly connects ideas back to
thesis with a concluding
statement
-Directly and clearly compares and
contrasts topics in each paragraph
-All elements from outline are
included
REVISION
Name:
Okay
Needs Work
Most intro expectations are met:
- Attention grabbing start
-Author and title mentioned for each
story
-Brief summary of each story
-Clear well-written thesis that
includes:
-Both story titles
-Compare/Contrast Language
- Characterization, conflict, theme
-Topic sentence is somewhat clear
and somewhat matches the content
of the paragraph and is only 1
sentence
- Examples from stories mostly
support thesis
-Ideas and connections to each topic
are somewhat clear
-Ideas are mostly focused on topic
-Somewhat connects ideas back to
thesis with a concluding statement
-May need more support/evidence
needed to fully develop ideas
-Somewhat compares and contrasts
topics in each paragraph but ideas
may not be clear.
-Some elements from outline are
included
-Reminds reader of thesis, recaps
main points. Ideas may not be
presented with new wording.
Few intro expectations are met:
- Attention grabbing start
-Author and title mentioned for
each story
-Brief summary of each story
-Clear well-written thesis that
includes:
-Both story titles
-Compare/Contrast Language
- Characterization, conflict, theme
-Topic sentence does not clearly
connect with paragraph and/or is
more than 1 sentence
-Examples from stories do not
support thesis
-Ideas and connections to each
topic are unclear and/or hard to
follow.
-Ideas are not focused
-Ideas are not connected back to
thesis (no concluding statement)
-More support/evidence needed
to fully develop ideas
-Does not clearly compare and
contrast topics in each paragraph
or C/C is not significant enough.
-Missing numerous elements
from outline
-Does not remind reader of thesis
and/or does not recaps main
points
Attempts using compare/ contrast
language to show similarities and
differences between the stories
Not enough compare/ contrast
language to show similarities and
differences between the stories
-Incorporates at least 2 quotes (1
from each story)
-Follows the quote sandwich
steps
(Intro quote, quote, analyze
quote)
-Correct MLA format for works
cited and in-text citations
-Incorporates at least 2 quotes (1 from
each story)
-Somewhat follows the quote
sandwich steps
(Intro quote, quote, analyze quote)
-Correct MLA format for works cited
and in-text citations is attempted
All formatting conventions are
correct: 1” margins, correct
heading, header, double spaced,
Times New Roman size12 font,
creative title
Little to no problems with
spelling, punctuation, run-ons,
fragments, comma splices,
capitalization, etc
3rd person used throughout. No I,
you, etc
Most formatting conventions are
correct: 1” margins, correct heading,
header, double spaced, Times New
Roman size12 font, creative title
-No quotes or only 1 quote is
incorporated.
-Does not follow the quote
sandwich steps
(Intro quote, quote, analyze
quote)
-Not clear how quote supports
ideas
-MLA format is not used and/or
there is no works cited
Few formatting conventions are
correct: 1” margins, correct
heading, header, double spaced,
Times New Roman size12 font,
creative title
Many problems with spelling,
punctuation, run-ons, fragments,
comma splices, capitalization, etc
causing problems with
coherence.
3rd person not used throughout.
-Well-rounded, reminds reader of
thesis, recaps main points, reader
isn’t left wondering about
anything.
Fluently uses compare/ contrast
language to show similarities and
differences between the stories
Some problems with spelling,
punctuation, run-ons, fragments,
comma splices, capitalization, etc but
writing is still easily understood. 3rd
person used throughout. No I, you,
etc