iRubric: Compare / Contrast Essay Rubric

Well-developed introduction engages the reader and creates interest. Writer uses a specific strategy to engage the reader. Thesis clearly states a significant and compelling idea for comparing or contrasting.

Introduction creates interest. Writer uses a specific strategy to open the essay. Thesis clearly states an interesting idea for comparing or contrasting.

Introduction attempts to create interest, but may lack clarity. The essay begins with the essay topic without any specific strategy to help draw the reader in; thesis states a specific idea that may be cloudy or implied rather than clearly stated.

Introduction lacks clarity. The essay begins with the essay topic without any specific strategy to help draw the reader in; thesis states an idea that is unclear or vague.

Well-developed points directly support the writer's thesis. Supporting examples are concrete and detailed. Commentary is logical, original and well-thoughtout. Conclusion revisits the thesis in a new way and moves readers to a new moment of awareness or understanding

Most points are related to the thesis, but one may lack sufficient support or deviates from thesis. Conclusion summarizes thesis and key points with some "fresh" commentary present while suggests a new moment of awareness or understanding

More than one point lacks sufficient details and support. Conclusion mirrors introduction too closely, with little or no new commentary and may attempt o suggest a new moment of awareness or understanding

Most points are poorly developed. Commentary is not present. Conclusion does not re-visit the thesis or move to a moment of awareness or understanding

Point of view is consistent and appropriate; P-A agreement is flawless; punctuation, spelling, & capitalization are accurate with few or no errors; absence of fragments and run-on sentences reveals writer's confident and consistent command of language use

Point of view is mostly consistent and appropriate; P-A agreement is correct more often than not;
presence of an occasional fragment and a run-on sentence reveals writer's definite command of language use

Point of view is inconsistent and perhaps even appropriate; P-A agreement is incorrect more often than not; several errors in punctuation, spelling, & capitalization that hinder comprehension; presence of fragments and run-on sentences reveals writer's weak command of language use

Point of view is inconsistent, vague or inappropriate; P-A agreement shows no awareness of proper form; several errors in punctuation, spelling, & capitalization that hinder comprehension; presence of fragments and run-on sentences reveals writer's lack of command of language use