iRubric: In Class Essay Rubric

• Focus of essay is clear and definite
• Effective and appropriate details create a vivid picture showing knowledge and insight
• Fresh approach holds the reader’s attention; insights are relevant and useful to the reader's understanding of the topic the writer is exploring.

• Focus on topic is clear.
• Sufficient details create a picture showing some knowledge and insight.
• Fresh approach adds to the readers understanding and some good insights are made.

• Focus on topic is somewhat defined.
• Underdeveloped details show little knowledge and are too general to create a picture.
• Cognizant approach to topic is attempted yet lacks support which will aid the reader’s understanding.

• Focus on topic is not clearly defined.
• Limited or disconnected details show a lack of understanding.
* No connections or insights made in essay.

• The writer’s personality is expressed; confidence and feeling are apparent.
• Individual, powerful commitment to the topic is obvious.
• The writing is honest, personal, and engaging and makes the reader think about and react to the author’s ideas.

• Writer’s personality pokes through; confidence and feeling fade in and out.
• A commitment to the topic is apparent.
• The writing is somewhat engaging for the reader and evokes some emotion.
• Correct, adequate word choice creates a clear picture in the reader’s mind.
• Lively verbs, specific nouns, and appropriate adjectives and phrases add to the meaning.
• Some colorful language encourages reflection.
• Dialogue, if used, sounds appropriate.

• Writer’s personality is undefined; writing is cautious.
• Commitment to topic is limited.
• The writing is somewhat sincere but doesn’t reflect unique or individual perspective on the topic therefore evoking limited emotion in the reader.
• Ordinary word choice attempts to create a picture in the reader’s mind.
• Verbs, nouns, adjectives, and phrases are adequate.
• Language choice and phrasing lack inspiration.

• Writer’s personality is not evident.
• Commitment to topic is lacking.
• The development of the topic is so limited that the writing evokes minimal emotion in the reader.
• Limited vocabulary for words to create a picture.
• Verb and noun choice is rather general. Adjectives and phrases lack definition.
• Language choice and phrasing is inappropriate, repetitive, or lacks meaning.

All sources cited
MLA heading is correct<
Double spaced with little to no errors
Title is centered

Most source citations present
MLA name heading is almost right
Double spaced with few minor format errors
Title has some typed errors (bold, underlined)

Some source citations, but incorrectly written
MLA name heading is half correct
Double spaced, but paragraphs are not indented
Title is in bold or underlined

No source citations
MLA name heading is incorrect
Single spaced
Title not centered