iRubric: Informational Writing Essay Rubric

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Informational Writing Essay Rubric

Provide introduction paragraph including thesis statement on Raptor chosen by you. 2 detailed paragraphs minimum 5 sentences with details regarding your raptor. Conclusion paragraph includes information that you believe connects this raptor to birds of prey today.

Rubric Code: BXA7CBX

By cbrewste

Ready to use

Public Rubric

Subject: Science

Type: Writing

Grade Levels: 6-8

Criteria for Essay
	Excellent 4 pts	Good 3 pts	Fair 2 pts	Poor 1 pts
Introduction	Excellent Very well developed introduction. It engages the reader and creates interest using an appropriate hook and background information. It introduces the topic effectively.	Good The introduction creates interest and is fairly well developed. While it contains and/or introduces the process, it not very engaging; it covers the topic, but may be weak, rambling, or inappropriate.	Fair The introduction introduces the process, but it either does not give accurate and complete information, or lacks detail and creativity. May not cover the whole topic.	Poor The introduction does not introduce the topic appropriately.
Thesis Statement	Excellent The thesis statement names the topic of the essay and outlines the main points to be discussed.	Good The thesis statement names the topic of the essay but doesn't outline the main points.	Fair The thesis statement outlines some or all of the main points, although it may misrepresent them. Thesis may not name the topic.	Poor The thesis statement is not present or very unclear.
Conclusion	Excellent The concluding paragraph effectively unifies the essay. It makes a point about the process that is creative and interesting.	Good The concluding paragraph effectively unifies the essay, but it does not make a very interesting point about the process.	Fair The concluding paragraph relates a conclusion to the process, but it does little to unify the essay around the steps of the process.	Poor There is no apparent conclusion or point made about the process.
Body Paragraphs Topic Sentences & Supporting Details	Excellent Each paragraph contains a clearly focused topic sentence that relates to the process being described. Details in the essay are clear and specific, and there are enough details to help the reader see and understand all the steps of process.	Good Each paragraph contains a topic sentence that relates to the process being described. Details are clear and specific, and the steps in the process can be followed well enough to understand the described process.	Fair Not all paragraphs contain topic sentences that relate to the process being described. There are details, but they are not very clear or specific, or there are not enough of them to allow the reader to follow the progression of the process.	Poor There are no apparent topic sentences.Details are either wrong or lacking. They do not seem to relate to the process.
Response to Task	Excellent Addresses the topic clearly and responds effectively to all aspects of the task. Demonstrates full understanding of assignment.	Good Addresses the topic clearly but may respond to some aspects of the task more effectively than others. Generally meets expectations.	Fair Addresses the topic, but may slight some aspects of the task. May have only vague understanding of the assignment.	Poor Distorts or neglects aspects of the topic. Does not understand assignment.
Organization/Structure	Excellent Logical progression of details with a clear structure that enhances the essay and provides a clear step-by-step description of the process. The transitions are appropriate and used very effectively to indicate the time order of the steps.	Good Logical progression of details. Transitions are present, but they do not enhance the overall effectiveness of the essay. All steps are covered and in the correct order.	Fair Organization is clear. Some transitions are present, while others are either inappropriate or missing. Some steps may be missing or not in the proper order.	Poor No discernible organization. Transitions are not present.<BR> Cannot discern a logical explanation of the process.
Style: sentence flow, tone, and word choice.	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 essay. Vivid sense language is used to create clear images of the process.	Good Writing is clear and sentences have varied structure. There is consistent tone and word choice is appropriate for the description of the process.	Fair Writing is clear, but sentences may lack variety. The tone is inconsistent and word choice, while adequate, does not clearly explain the process.	Poor Writing is confusing and hard to follow. Contains fragments and/or run-on sentences. The tone and purpose is inconsistent and difficult to determine. <BR> The word choice is inadequate and the process is not explained.
Grammar and Spelling	Excellent Author makes 0-3 errors in grammar and/or spelling. Errors do not detract from the overall meaning and effectiveness of the essay.	Good Author makes 4-6 errors in grammar and/or spelling. Errors may detract slightly from the overall meaning and effectiveness of the essay.	Fair Author makes 7-9 errors in grammar and/or spelling. Errors begin to detract from the overall meaning and effectiveness of the essay.	Poor Many (10+) distracting errors in grammar and/or spelling, seriously detracting from overall meaning and effectiveness of the essay.
Capitalization and Punctuation	Excellent Author makes 0-3 errors in capitalization and punctuation.	Good Author makes 4-6 errors in capitalization and punctuation.	Fair Author makes 7-9 errors in capitalization and punctuation.	Poor Author make 10 or more errors in capitalization and punctuation.
Overall	Excellent Overall legibility, mechanics, and performance are above expectation.	Good Overall legibility, mechanics, and performance meets expectations.	Fair Overall legibility, mechanics, and performance are slightly below expectation.	Poor Overall legibility, mechanics, and performance are well below expectation.

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