iRubric: Extended Definition Essay rubric

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Extended Definition Essay

Define a common but subjective term (LEADERSHIP) and explore what that word means via specific examples AND direct quotes that illustrate your definition.

Rubric Code: QX57635

By sphegley

Draft

Public Rubric

Subject: English

Type: Writing

Grade Levels: 9-12

6 Trait Enter rubric description
	Excellent 4 pts	Good 3 pts	Fair 2 pts	Poor 1 pts
Introduction (Organization) 4	Excellent The introduction is excellent, states the main topic and previews the structure of the paper. Hook, transition, thesis model is highly effectively employed.	Good The introduction clearly states the main topic and previews the structure of the paper, but is not highly effective. The hook, transition, thesis model is evident.	Fair The introduction states the main topic, but does not adequately preview the structure of the paper nor is it particularly inviting. The hook, transition, thesis model is attempted but not effective.	Poor There is an introduction but it may be one sentence or it may be unrealted material. The thesis is at least attempted but a specific preview or ogranizational pattern may be lacking. 0 points awarded if introduction/thesis is missing or included in the 1st body paragraph.
Support for Topic: Body #1 12	Excellent Relevant, telling, quality details give the reader important information that goes beyond the obvious or predictable. At least one direct quote and one example or illustration drawn. Relatively equal in length to other body paragraphs.	Good Supporting details and information are relevant, but support could be improved in minor ways.	Fair Supporting details and information are relevant, but support is lacking.	Poor Supporting details is thin, underdeveloped, and shows lack of deep thought.
Support for Topic: Body #2 12	Excellent Relevant, telling, quality details give the reader important information that goes beyond the obvious or predictable. At least one direct quote and one example or illustration drawn. Relatively equal in length to other body paragraphs.	Good Supporting details and information are relevant, but support could be improved in minor ways.	Fair Supporting details and information are relevant, but support is lacking.	Poor Supporting details is thin, underdeveloped, and shows lack of deep thought.
Support for Topic: Body #3 12	Excellent Relevant, telling, quality details give the reader important information that goes beyond the obvious or predictable. At least one direct quote and one example or illustration drawn. Relatively equal in length to other body paragraphs.	Good Supporting details and information are relevant, but support could be improved in minor ways.	Fair Supporting details and information are relevant, but support is lacking.	Poor Supporting details is thin, underdeveloped, and shows lack of deep thought.
Conclusion 4	Excellent The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader with a feeling that they understand what the writer is "getting at." It leaves the reader satisfied with a feeling of closure.	Good The conclusion is recognizable and ties up loose ends. There is some attempt to make the conclusion effective.	Fair The conclusion is recognizable, but is only a mechanical necessity with little art involved in its construction.	Poor The conclusion is ineffective. The thesis is restated but not in different words. If no conclusion is present or if the conclusion is included in a body paragraph "0" points are awarded.
Sequencing 4	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. The transitions are not first, second, third, in conclusion	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. The transitions are not first, second, third, in conclusion	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. The transitions are not first, second, third, in conclusion	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 unclear or nonexistent. The transitions may include the predictable and cliche' first, second, third, in conclusion.
Focus on Topic 4	Excellent There is one clear, well-focused topic. Main idea / Theme stands out and is supported by detailed information.	Good Main idea / Theme is clear but the supporting information is general.	Fair Main idea / Theme is somewhat clear but there is a need for more supporting information.	Poor The main idea / Theme is not clear. There is a seemingly random collection of information.
Definition overall 4	Excellent clear and well defined extended definition; does an exemplary job of supporting thesis	Good An extended definition has been created; does a good job of supporting thesis	Fair An extended definition is created. The author attempts to support a thesis, but may fall short of his or her intentions.	Poor An extended definition is attempted; little support for thesis.
Voice and Personality 4	Excellent The writer seems to be writing from knowledge or experience. The author has taken the ideas and made them "his own."	Good The writer seems to be drawing on knowledge or experience, but there is some lack of ownership of the topic.	Fair The writer relates some of his own knowledge or experience, but it adds little to the discussion of the topic.	Poor The writer has not tried to transform the information in a personal way. The ideas and the way they are expressed seem to belong to someone else.
Sentence Fluency 8 use a semicolon ;moreover, or ; however, or ;nevertheless, Be creative. Vary your sentence beginnings. Use an introductory phrase, word, or clause in each paraphraph.	Excellent Every paragraph has sentences of different types, and all sentences are correctly punctuated. Author uses at least one conjunctive adverb and semicolon to create a compound or compound-complex sentence.	Good All paragraphs have sentences that vary in length and structure, but there are minor problems in punctuation with a few sentences.	Fair Some sentences vary in length, or there are several sentences with punctuation errors.	Poor Sentences rarely vary in length or there are frequent errors in punctuation.
Word Choice 4 Verb choice is paramount. Limit linking verbs. Use concrete images and vivid verbs.	Excellent Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind; words seems accurate, natural and not forced.	Good Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind; occasionally the words are used inaccurately or seem overdone.	Fair Writer uses words that communicate clearly, but the writing lacks variety, punch or flair.	Poor Writer uses a limited vocabulary that does not communicate strongly or capture the reader's interest.
Conventions 4	Excellent Writer makes no or few errors that distract the reader from the content.	Good Writer makes a few errors that distract the reader from the content.	Fair Writer makes several errors that distract the reader from the content.	Poor Writer makes many errors, making the essay difficult to read.
MLA Format 4	Excellent tnr 12 point font double spaced 1 in margins header on first page, and page number as running header title all spacing equal (no extra spacing)	Good 1 error	Fair 2 errors	Poor 3-4 errors 0 points awarded for more than 5 errors
In text Citation 12	Excellent every quote and paraphrase cited correctly in text. Periods are on the outside of parentheses. Each paragraph has a minimum of 2 citations from different souces.	Good every quote and paraphrase cited correctly in text. Periods are on the outside of parentheses. Each paragraph has a minimum of 1 citation.	Fair every quote and paraphrase cited correctly in text. Periods may be on the outside of parentheses or are inconsistently placed. Each paragraph has a minimum of 1 citation.	Poor every quote and paraphrase cited correctly in text, but there may be issues with parenthesis or period placement. Information in the parenthesis may not be appropriately formatted (ie last name and page number) 1 citation may be missing. 0 points awarded for in text citation that is severely lacking or altogether missing.
Works Cited Page 8	Excellent o errors	Good 1 error	Fair 2 errors	Poor 3 errors - 4 errors 0 points for severe errors or missing entirely

Subjects:

English

Types:

Writing

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