iRubric: Historical Research Essay rubric

The introduction does not clearly state the topic, and/or no thesis statement is present.

The introduction states the topic and includes a thesis statement, but the thesis is either flawed or does not provide a preview of the main points of the essay.

The introduction clearly states the topic and includes an adequate thesis statement that provides a preview of the main points of the essay.

The introduction is very interesting, clearly states the topic that will be developed in the essay, and includes a well-constructed thesis statement that provides a preview of the main points of the paper.

The writer is unclear about the topic he or she is writing about. The discussion is not focused.
The essay is not written in third person.

The writer shows an understanding of the topic, but some ideas are not fully developed. Parts of the essay are written in third person.

The writer has a good control of the topic he or she is writing about. Main ideas are adequately developed. The essay is written in third person with a few errors in point of view.

The author demonstrates a superior understanding of the topic he or she is writing about. Main ideas are fully developed. The essay is written in third person.