iRubric: Cause and Effect Essay rubric

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Cause and Effect Essay

Cause and Effect essay scoring rubric

Rubric Code: A6C9A2

By PGehrke

Ready to use

Public Rubric

Subject: English

Type: Writing

Grade Levels: 9-12, Undergraduate

Criteria for Essay
	Poor 1 pts	Fair 3 pts	Good 4 pts	Excellent 5 pts
Introduction/Thesis Statement	Poor The introduction and thesis statement do not include what is being analyzed, and there is no apparent basis for the cause or effect analysis indicated.	Fair The introduction and thesis statement include the topic being analyzed, but they do not give a reason for the analysis or list the causes or effects.	Good The introduction and thesis statement are fairly well developed. But they are not very engaging or creative, but they do introduce the topic and/or include the causes or effects.	Excellent Very well-developed introduction and thesis statement. They engage the reader and create interest. They clearly state the topic being analyzed, and whether this paragraph is about causes or effects. They either introduce the topic and give a reason for the analysis, and/or they include the causes and effects.
Hook	Poor There is an attempt at using a hook, but it is not successful. It does not capture the reader's attention.	Fair The hook used is weak and does not capture the reader's attention. The hook needs to be developed further.	Good There is a hook used, but it could be stronger.	Excellent There is a strong hook that captures the reader's attention immediately and makes the reader want to learn more.
Overall Organization Unity & Coherence (Transitions)	Poor No discernible organization. Details are either missing or not in any discernible order. They do not clearly indicate causes or effects. There no transition words or phrases, or they are inappropriate.	Fair The details are in a discernible order, but there are not enough to effectively analyze the topic, or they may not all relate to either cause or effect. Transition words appear, but not consistently enough to give the reader direction.	Good The details are in a clear. effective order and they adequately analyze the topic in terms of causes or effects, but they are not very interesting or engaging. Transitions are present are sufficient to guide the reader, but could be improved upon with better word choice, for example.	Excellent The details are in a clear, order, and they effectively analyze the topic in terms of either causes or effects. They engage the reader and create interest with creativity. Transition occur appropriately throughout the essay and provide a roadmap for the reader. Word choice is excellent.
Cause and Effect Relationships	Poor No cause and effect relationships shown.	Fair Weak cause and effect relationship shown.	Good Cause and effect relationship shown.	Excellent Strong cause and effect relationship shown.
Supporting Details	Poor Details are either wrong or lacking, or they are not related to the topic sentence or the analysis.	Fair There are details, but they are either not concrete and specific, or there are not enough of them to adequately analyze or describe the topic. One or more causes or effects are not given sufficient space or details.	Good Details are concrete and specific, but they are not engaging and interesting. There are sufficient details for the analysis, but they could be clearer.	Excellent Details in the essay are concrete and specific, and they effectively represent either causes or effects related to the topic of analysis. There are enough details to clearly analyze the topic, and each cause or effect has sufficient details for clear analysis.
Parenthetical citations	Poor Some attempt has been made at parenthetical citations, but it is not consistent and/or is not recognizable as MLA format.	Fair Parenthetical citations included, but there are multiple errors in MLA format.	Good Parenthetical citations included, but there are a few minor errors in MLA format.	Excellent Parenthetical citations included following perfect MLA format.
Work Cited	Poor Work cited page included, but does not follow MLA format.	Fair Work cited page included with mutiple errors in MLA format.	Good Work cited page included with only a few errors in MLA format.	Excellent Work cited page included with perfect MLA format.
Style: Sentence flow, tone, and word choice	Poor Sentence flow, tone, andriting is confusing and hard to follow. Contains fragments and/or run-on sentences. The tone and purpose is inconsistent and difficult to determine. Transitions are either missing or inappropriate.	Fair Writing is clear, but sentences may lack variety. The tone is inconsistent and word choice, while adequate, could be better. While transitions are present they do not add to the overall effectiveness of the paragraph.	Good Writing is clear and sentences have varied structure. There is consistent tone and word choice is appropriate with fairly good use of transitions to guide the reader.	Excellent Writing is smooth, skillful, and coherent. Sentences are strong and expressive with varied structure. Consistent and appropriate tone and word choice is used throughout the paragraph. Transitions are appropriate and add to the effectiveness of the paragraph.
Grammar & Mechanics	Poor Distracting and major errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization.	Fair A few errors in punctuation, grammar, spelling, and capitalization that, while distracting, the meaning and intent of the paragraph can still be discerned.	Good A few minor errors in punctuation, spelling, grammar, or capitalization, but they do not detract from the overall meaning and effectiveness of the paragraph.	Excellent Hardly any errors in punctuation, spelling, grammar, or capitalization. Preferably none.

Keywords:

Definition Paragraph, rubric, writing components

Subjects:

English

Types:

Writing

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