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Definition Essay 
Definition Essay
Students will combine the three elements of affective arguments and identify their audience to write a definition essay. This essay is the first building block of the argument research paper due at the end of the term. A definition essay is writing that explains what a term or descriptive phrase connected with the students' chosen issue means.
Rubric Code: VB68A7
By rera15
Ready to use
Public Rubric
Subject: English  
Type: Writing  
Grade Levels: Undergraduate

Powered by iRubric Definition Essay
Students are to write a four to six page essay defining a word or concept that is crucial to their chosen issue.
  Above Effective

Achieves excellence in all stated objectives in each of the components of the Definition Essay.

4 pts

Effective

Satisfactorily meets all stated objectives in each component of the Definition Essay.

3 pts

Marginal

Meets some but not all of the stated objectives for each component of the Definition Essay.

2 pts

Below Marginal

Very few objectives, if any, of the objectives of the stated components are met in the Definition Essay

1 pts

Thesis

Above Effective

Thesis statement follows the formula for thesis development in addition to embodying the essence of the definition. Thesis demonstrates writer's invested opinion
Effective

Thesis statement follows the formula for thesis development and is a start at developing the essence of the definition.
Marginal

Thesis statement does not follow the formula for thesis development

- OR-

Thesis does not capture the essence of the definition.
Below Marginal

Vague idea of what the thesis will be.
Organization

Above Effective

Establishes a clear and logical organization to define the targeted concept.
Effective

Uses an identifiable
organizational plan for developing the essay.
Marginal

Shows some evidence of an organizational plan for developing the essay.
Below Marginal

Fails to organize ideas logically to develop the definition.
Definition

Above Effective

Details in the paragraph are concrete and specific, and they define the term with unique characteristics. There are enough details, and they relate to the topic sentence.
Effective

Details are concrete and specific, but they are not unique. They lack creativity and clarity.
Marginal

There are details, but they are either not concrete and specific, or there are not enough of them to adequately define the term.
Below Marginal

Details are either wrong or lacking, or they are not related to the topic sentence.
Word Choice

Above Effective

Exhibits varied and precise word choice.
Effective

Exhibits appropriate word choice.
Marginal

Exhibits a narrow range of word choice, often including
inappropriate selections.
Below Marginal

Exhibits little variety of word usage, words are redundant.
Spelling and Punctuation

Above Effective

No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.
Effective

One to two grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.
Marginal

Three to four grammatical spelling, or punctuation errors.
Below Marginal

Four to six grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.
Introduction

Focus is on the introduction and/or narration pieces of the essay and understanding of prompt.
Above Effective

Introduction is skillfully written to engage the audience and make them receptive. Prompt is clearly understood and addressed in a sophisticated manner. The central claim is well crafted, clearly stated, argumentative in nature, and clearly defends, challenges, or qualifies the issue at hand in a more eloquent fashion than an 3 response. All necessary background information is included.information.
Effective

Introduction is well written and engages the audience and makes them receptive. Prompt is clearly understood and addressed in an original manner. The central claim is well crafted, clearly stated, argumentative in nature, and clearly defends, challenges, or qualifies the issue at hand. All necessary background information is included
Marginal

Introduction attempts to engage the audience and/or make them receptive. Prompt is mostly understood and addressed. The central claim takes a positition that defends, challenges, or qualifies the issue at hand but may awkward. Some background information is included.
Below Marginal

Attempt to engage the audience awkward or vague. Prompt is somewhat misunderstood but partially addressed. The central claim is inappropriate, weak, or unclear. No background information.
Conclusion

Focus is on the concluding paragraph and its tie back to the thesis.
Above Effective

Makes a sophisticated and eloquent summary of the arguments. Arouses sympathy for the topic and motivates the audience to action. Effectively enhances ethos and makes use of emotional appeals.
Effective

Makes a sophisticated summary of the arguments. Arouses sympathy for the topic and motivates the audience to action. Effectively ehances ethos and makes use of emotional appeals.
Marginal

Clearly summarizes the arguments and reinforces the thesis. Motivates the audience to action. Makes a limited attempt to ehance ethos and/or make use of emotional appeals.
Below Marginal

Summary of the arguments is limited. Awkward tie back to thesis. Ineffective attempt to appeal to audience in any fashion.
Style & Voice

Focus is on the patterns of organization, methods of persuasion employed, effectiveness of tone, and overall implementation of rhetorical strategies.
Above Effective

Sophisticated sense of audience. Artfully incorporates a wide variety of rhetorical strategies. Consistently conveys a highly academic tone, always addressing both hostile and receptive audiences with respect. Skillfully asserts authority on the topic.
Effective

Effective sense of audience. Incorporates a wide variety of rhetorical strategies. Consistently conveys a highly academic tone, always addressing both hostile and receptive audiences with respect. Asserts authority on the topic.
Marginal

Somewhat understands the audience. Incorporates some rhetorical strategies. Somewhat consistently conveys an academic and respectful tone. Does little to come across as an authority on the topic.
Below Marginal

Makes an attempt to understand the audience. One or two rhetorical strategies are used. Tone is elementary and/or inconsistent. Does not come across as an authority on the topic.
Incorporation of abstract noun

Is the abstract noun the centerpiece of the essay?
Above Effective

Abstract noun is firmly connected to the thesis statement. The noun takes the center stage of the argument.
Effective

Abstract noun is used inthe thesis, but the connection is loose. .
Marginal

Abstract noun is mentioned, but has no connection to the thesis.
Below Marginal

Abstract noun is not mentioned in the essay.



Keywords:
  • writing, essay, definition

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