SLO for Eng 201
Compose cohesive paragraphs and short essays with identifiable topics, clear organization, and grammatical
sentences.
ASSESSMENT TOOL [based on viewing two movies in class, essays from text America Now and class
discussions]
FINAL ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS
REQUIREMENTS:
1. No specific word count. A handwritten rough draft is required. The final draft must be word-processed, spellchecked, and proofread.
2. FIVE well-developed paragraphs:
a) Topic sentence for each paragraph
b) 3, 4, or 5 supporting sentences after the topic sentence
c) Concluding sentence for each paragraph
d) Only ONE simple sentence [i.e. a single independent clause] in each paragraph. That means the remaining
sentences in the paragraph MUST be either compound, complex, or compound-complex sentences
e) NO fragments
f) NO run on sentences
3. Well-developed essay:
a) Introductory paragraph [MAY begin with an anecdote -- this is optional]
b) THREE "body" paragraphs with specific examples regarding the theme of the essay [which should be clear from
the information in the introduction
c) A concluding paragraph with lots of opinion from the writer.
TOPICS: choice of one -A. Compare and contrast the movies seen in class: "A Lesson Before Dying" and "A Time to Kill"
B. What does it mean to be a "man"? [Writer must refer to both movies]
C. What does it mean to be a woman? [Writer must refer to at least one essay in text]
D. What are the differences between men and women? [Writer must refer to at least two essays in text]
E. Describe racism in the U.S. [Writer must refer to both movies]
[Checklist for Essay on the following page]
[Scoring Rubric next page]
STUDENT CHECKLIST FOR FINAL ESSAY [to be submitted with essay]
Student Name ____________________________ Date ______________________
Title of Essay ___________________________________________________
Instructions: Students MUST turn in this CHECKLIST and CHECK OFF each item that has been included in
the essay. Points will be deducted IF the checklist is not included OR if there are no check marks OR if there
are check marks but the checked items have been omitted.
_____ 1. Essay has a title.
_____ 2. Essay includes FIVE paragraphs.
_____ 3. Each paragraph has a TOPIC SENTENCE.
_____ 4. Each paragraph has 3, 4 or 5 sentences that contain evidence in support of the topic sentence.
_____ 5. Each paragraph has a CONCLUDING SENTENCE.
_____ 6. The paragraphs follow one another naturally and logically. That is, there is no abrupt change of
subject from paragraph to the next.
_____ 7. The first paragraph introduces the entire theme [with or without a thesis statement].
_____ 8. The final paragraph contains a summary of the previous paragraphs AS WELL AS concluding
opinions of the writer.
_____ 9. The essay has a handwritten first draft.
_____ 10. The essay has been proofread so that there should be NO misspellings or typographical errors.
Scoring Rubric for 100 point FINAL ESSAY for Eng 201
Categories and
points available
“A” points
18-20
“B” points
16-17
“C” points
14-15
“D” points OR less
10-13
Assignment
Fulfillment [20]
All requirements
All requirements
One or two
missing requirements
More than two
missing requirements
Paragraphs and
The reader does
sentences support
not get lost, but
the main theme
occasionally
and reflect a
an extraneous
logical progression point is made or
a transition is
missing
Your reader may get
lost following some of
your arguments, and
some of your points
stray from the main
topic
Paragraphs and
sentences do NOT
stick to your main
topic
Essay is strong
because of
interesting,
appropriate,
and relevant
examples and
details.
Also, some
thoughtful issues
have been raised.
Some questions
may be raised
from your
discussion, which
may not include
enough support
for your theme.
Inadequate, vague, or
otherwise inappropriate
details and examples
which leaves reader
confused with
unanswered questions.
Sentences lack
variety
Too many run-ons,
fragments, and
syntactical problems
Several errors, but
reader is not confused
Frequent spelling and
grammar use errors
Focus and
Organization [20]
Interest and
Idea Development [20]
Sentence
Craft [20]
Grammar
Usage [20]
Essay offers some
good examples
and details.
Some originality
and reflection
are evident.
Sentences are
varied and
effective
Sentences are
smooth for the
most part
Only rare and
isolated errors
Some stubborn
error, but not many