iRubric: Hot Coffee Essay rubric

No introduction, essay is one paragraph or

Introduction is not clearly written; reader cannot really tell what the essay will be about

Introduction tells the reader that the general topic is law suits, but there is no indication of a thesis or point of view about them.

Introduction is clearly written and gives some indication of the author's opinion of civil suits, but does not contain a thesis.

Introduction is clearly written and includes a thesis that tells the reader what the author thinks about law suits and why he/she thinks that way.

There is little or no evidence of organization,
no paragraphs; no transition between sentences, etc

Organization is limited; 2 or 3 paragraphs; no topic sentences in paragraphs; poor transition between sentences; no conclusion

Organization is evident. 4 or more paragraphs break the essay into digestible parts, there is transition between ideas; there is a conclusion

Organization is evident and very easy to follow. After the introduction, each paragraph clearly connects to the thesis and builds on the previous one. The conclusion reminds the reader of the thesis, but is more than a restatement of the introduction.