iRubric: Paper Rubric

Engaging opening introduces the essay’s general topic and inspires thinking about that topic; logically proceeds to thesis; thesis is an easily identifiable, well-phrased argument that assesses the text and addresses a specific idea to be analyzed and proven in the essay; the idea offered in the thesis reflects sound critical, analytical thinking; title and author of work are appropriately referenced

Generally engaging opening; areas to be strengthened may include: presentation of general topic; development of transition between general opening and specific thesis statement; thesis statement is phrased as an argument but may be strengthened through clarification of the main idea being offered

Opening is functional but too brief and/or simplistic, essay’s topic is apparent but needs to be developed to engage the reader; abrupt transition from first sentences to thesis statement; paragraph may be incoherent, jumping from one point to the next without developing a smooth progression of ideas; thesis may be too general, vague, or imprecisely phrased; thesis may not directly address the prompt (though still an argument that assesses the text)

Opening is ineffective, poorly organized, and undeveloped (inappropriately brief); thesis may summarize plot point rather than present argument about text; thesis may not address the prompt at all; author and/or title of text may not be referenced properly (i.e. only author's last name, title incorrectly formatted)

Fails to fulfill requirements of the assignment

Writing reflects a critical, analytical understanding of the text/topic; clear reasoning; sophisticated, insightful inferences from concrete details support the connected ideas of thesis; inferences are developed so that all claims and points made are well-supported and persuasive; appropriate balance of quotes & writer's analysis; writer is clearly engaged with his/her thinking process

Writing generally reflects a critical, analytical understanding of the text/topic but is uneven; inferences demonstrate interpretive ability but could be developed further to better explain significance of detail and support thesis and/or TS; some claims may be vague, generalized, or lacking in support; analysis could be stronger through focus on stylistic elements that create thematic meaning; some imbalance of quotes and writer's analysis

Writing demonstrates basic comprehension of the text/topic but not a critical, analytical understanding of it, as reflected by one or more of the following: lack of focused, developed idea guiding essay; interpretive analysis inconsistent or unsubstantiated; frequent summary of details rather than argument; writer restates the content of cited concrete details rather than draws significant inferences. Writing weakened by generalizations, unsupported claims, assumptions, vague statements.

Writing demonstrates some awareness of text/topic details but not a critical, analytical understanding of the text/topic; points made are vague and unsubstantiated; essay lacks focus; no literary/topical analysis present

Fails to fulfill requirements of the assignment

Essay includes a variety of sentences marked by varying opening words and structure; effective syntax and grammar demonstrate a mastery of writing conventions in the language and serve the author’s purpose; consistent adherence to MLA guidelines; accurate Work Cited page; absence of misspellings, punctuation errors

Essay’s sentences generally effective but may lack appropriate variety (some repeated opening words and structure); syntax and grammar may be awkward/incorrect in places (but not distracting); a few misspellings (but not distracting); consistent adherence to MLA guidelines; accurate Work Cited page

Essay sentences lack variety (frequently repeated opening words and sentence structure); awkward/incorrect syntax and grammar confuse writer’s point and distract reader; misspellings, inappropriate use of informal language that diminish the academic nature of the writing and distract reader; inconsistent adherence to MLA guidelines (but does not compromise integrity of essay); Work Cited page may contain inaccuracies (but does not compromise the integrity of essay)

Frequent syntax, grammar, misspelling errors that distract the reader; lack of adherence to MLA guidelines undermines integrity of essay; inaccurate Work Cited page compromises integrity of essay

Fails to fulfill requirements of the assignment