iRubric: Opinion Essay rubric

No introduction or the student begins by answering the question posed or by directly referencing the question.

There is no opinion/position stated, but there is an introduction.

There is an introduction, but it is weak because it is not relevant to the topic, the topic itself is unclear, or the writer rambles on.

An opinion/position is present, but does not make the author's position clear. It is vague or it is unclear how it relates to the topic.

There is a clear introduction relevant to the topic. It is somewhat engaging and catches the reader's attention.

The opinion/position stated provides a clear, statement of the author’s position on the topic.

There is a strong and clear introduction directly on topic. It is very engaging and catches and maintains the reader's attention.

The opinion/position stated provides a clear, strong statement of the author’s position on the topic.

The text is highly unorganized. Many of the reasons or support details are not in an expected or logical order and paragraphs, distracting the reader and making the essay seem very confusing. Paragraphs are highly unbalanced and sentences structures do not follow English writing conventions.

The reader does not understand what the writer wants to say even after several rereads

A few of the reasons or support details are not in an expected or logical order or paragraphs, distracting the reader and making the essay confusing. The reader has to reread several parts of the text which may or may not clarify the writer's intentions. There is a lot of "guess-work" on part of the reader. Many sentences are not properly structured according to English writing conventions.

Reasons and support are provided in a fairly logical order and paragraphs that make it reasonably easy to follow the author's train of thought. In some places the text loses coherence because of inappropriate sentence structures and/or unbalanced paragraphing. Sometimes the reader has to guess at what the writer wants to say, which is resolved after rereading. Most sentences are properly structured according to English writing conventions.

Reasons and support are provided in a logical order and in balanced paragraphs that make it easy and interesting to follow the author's train of thought. There is no "guess-work" involved to understand what the writer wants to say.

The text is highly coherent with proper sentence structures which follow English writing conventions.

The writer makes 9 or more grammar and spelling errors which distract the reader from the content.

Many (7-8) grammar and spelling errors that distract the reader from the content.

Some (5-6) grammar and spelling errors that do not distract the reader from the content.

Very few (0-4) grammar and spelling errors which do not distract the reader from the content.