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iRubric: Extended Definition Essay rubric

iRubric: Extended Definition Essay rubric

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Extended Definition Essay 
Extended Definition Essay
Define a common but subjective term and explore what that word means via specific examples that illustrate your definition.
Rubric Code: JX3C28W
By gravenna
Ready to use
Public Rubric
Subject: English  
Type: Writing  
Grade Levels: Undergraduate

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Enter rubric description
  Excellent

10 pts

Good

9 pts

Fair

8 pts

Poor

7 pts

Unsatisfactory

6 pts

Definition

Concrete description of abstract concept with criteria
Excellent

Essay provides a clear and well defined extended definition; does an exemplary job of
identifying the author's included criteria (examples)
Good

An extended definition has been created; does a good job of identifying the author's included criteria (examples)
Fair

An extended definition is
created. The author attempts to identify their included criteria, but they are either unclear or repetitious qualities/not distinct examples
Poor

An extended definition is
attempted, but it neglects identifying the author's included criteria (examples)
Unsatisfactory

There is no definition present. / Essay does not satisfy the genre's standards.
Ideas/Focus

thesis/central
idea
focus
purpose
audience
Excellent

There is one clear, well-focused topic. Main idea / Theme stands out and is supported by detailed information.
The writer seems to
be writing from knowledge or
experience. The author has taken the
ideas and made them "his own."
Good

Main idea / theme is clear but the supporting
information is general. The writer seems to
be drawing on knowledge or experience, but there is some lack of
ownership of the
topic.
Fair

Main idea / theme is
somewhat clear but
there is a need for
more supporting
information. The writer relates
some of his own
knowledge or
experience, but it adds nothing to the
discussion of the topic.
Poor

The main idea /
theme is not clear.
There is a seemingly
random collection of
information. The writer has not
tried to transform the
information in a
personal way. The
ideas are mostly others' restated opinions from.
Unsatisfactory

There is no central idea explored and/or no original thought incorporated into the draft.
Development / Support

details
evidence
examples
logic
arguments
Excellent

Relevant, telling, quality details that give the reader important information that goes beyond the obvious or predictable and works expertly to prove the thesis.
Good

Supporting details
and information are
relevant, but one key
issue or portion is unsupported.
Fair

Supporting details and information are relevant, but several key issues or portions are unsupported.
Poor

The attempt of providing supporting details and information are present, but they are typically unclear or not related to the topic.
Unsatisfactory

Ideas/claims are severely lacking support and development, so much so that the subject matter is lost.
Organization

structure
coherence
unity
transitions
Excellent

Details are placed in
a logical order and the way they are presented effectively keeps the interest of the reader. A variety of thoughtful transitions are used. They clearly show how ideas are connected.
Good

Details are placed in a logical order, but the way in which they are presented/introduced
sometimes makes the writing less interesting. Transitions clearly show how ideas are connected, but there is little variety.
Fair

Some details are not in a logical or expected order, and this distracts the reader. Some transitions work well; but connections between other ideas are fuzzy.
Poor

Many details are not in a logical or expected order. There is little sense that the writing is organized. The transitions between ideas are often unclear or nonexistent.
Unsatisfactory

The organization is completely chaotic. The entire essay seems sporadic as if it were a first draft or free-write.
Introduction

Provides clear insight into the plan/structure of the essay.
Excellent

The introduction is inviting, states the main topic and previews the
structure of the paper.
Good

The introduction clearly states the main topic and
previews the structure of the paper, but is not
particularly inviting.
Fair

The introduction adequately states the main topic but does not
preview the entire structure of the paper nor is it particularly inviting.
Poor

The introduction attempts to state the main topic, but it does not fit what is actually developed in the body and fails to invite the reader into the content.
Unsatisfactory

There is no clear
introduction of the main topic or structure of the
paper.
Conclusion

Reiterates main ideas while ending the paper smoothly and without arguing new concepts.
Excellent

The conclusion is strong and comprehensive; it ties up all loose ends (unanswered questions /undeveloped ideas), providing a sense of closure/completeness.
Good

The conclusion is present and solid, but there are some loose ends (unanswered questions /undeveloped ideas) that remain.
Fair

The conclusion is recognizable, but does not tie up several loose ends (unanswered questions /undeveloped ideas).
Poor

There is an attempt in providing a conclusion but it does not reiterate any of the main ideas.
Unsatisfactory

There is no clear conclusion, the paper just ends.
Sentences

structure
coherence
unity
transitions
Excellent

Every paragraph has
sentences of different types, and the thoughts conveyed flow smoothly from one idea to the next while developing the idea provided in each topic sentence.
Good

All paragraphs have
sentences that vary in length and structure but there are minor problems with fluidity and staying true to each topic sentences.
Fair

While some sentences
vary in length,
there is occasional repetitious sentence structures (lacking variety) and several departures from the topis sentence.
Poor

Sentences rarely
vary in length or structure; most sentences are the same style, and ideas hardly stay focused on the topic sentences.
Unsatisfactory

There is no variety in sentence structure; Sentences are completely unclear or random, completely abandoning the topic sentences.
Style

Appropriate word choice
diction
tone
Excellent

Style is confident, readable and always rhetorically effective in tone, incorporating varied sentence structure with precise word choice that is accurate, natural
and not forced.
Good

Style is fairly confident and and mostly rhetorically effective in tone, incorporating varied sentence structure with mostly appropriate word choice that is
accurate, natural
and not forced.
Fair

Style is readable and rhetorically effective in tone, incorporating varied sentence structure;
occasionally the
words are used inaccurately or seem
overdone.
Poor

Style is readable but unremarkable in tone, sometimes including a lack of sentence variety with words
that communicate
clearly but lacks variety,
punch or flair.
Unsatisfactory

Style is incoherent or inappropriate in tone, including a lack of sentence variety, ineffective or inappropriate word choice with limited
vocabulary that does
not communicate
strongly or capture
the reader's interest.
Grammar

sentence structure
spelling
punctuation
Excellent

Writer makes no distract the reader from the content; grammar is perfect.
Good

Writer hardly makes any distract the reader from the content; grammar is very strong.
Fair

Writer occasionally makes a few errors that distract the reader from the content; grammar is solid.
Poor

Writer makes several errors that distract the reader from the content; grammar requires improvement.
Unsatisfactory

Writer consistently makes many errors, making the essay difficult to read; writer requires intense assistance in improving grammar.
Format (MLA)

presentation
sources
documentation
MLA style
Excellent

Format is perfect and even exceeds all assignment directions, working expertly to support the essay’s purpose/plan.
Good

Format is correct, meets all assignment directions, and works generally to support the essay’s purpose/plan.
Fair

Format is mostly correct, meets critical aspects of assignment directions, and works mostly to support the essay’s purpose/plan.
Poor

Format is inconsistent but shows some elements of correctness, meeting some aspects of assignment directions and with the attempt to support the essay’s purpose/plan.
Unsatisfactory

Format is faulty, does not meet sufficient aspects of the assignment direction, and does not support the essay’s purpose/plan.




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