iRubric: Compare/Contrast Essay rubric

The title is well thought out, appropriate for the not just the subjects, but for the writer's purpose within the comparison and contrast.
All the conventions for writing a title are followed perfectly (capitalization and punctuation).
The title is centered at the top of the first page, right before the start of the essay, after heading.

The title is appropriate for the not just the subjects chosen to compare and contrast.
Most of the conventions for writing a title are followed perfectly (capitalization and punctuation). The title is at the top of the fist page, right before the start of the essay, after the heading.

A title is present, but might not be a good choice or the paper, its purpose, of the subjects.
There are several conventions errors and or placement issues.

There is no title for the essay.

Very well developed introduction and thesis statement. Both engage the reader and create interest. They cover both subjects and the author's points for the comparison or the contrast.

Introduction and thesis statement create interest and are fairly well developed. Both subjects are covered, but they are not very engaging.

The introduction and thesis statement introduce the subjects for comparison or contrast, but they either do not give accurate and complete information, or they do not emphasize the author's points for the comparison or contrast.

The introduction and thesis statement do not introduce both subjects for comparison or contrast, and/or they do not use complete, appropriate sentences. There are no evident, controlling points about the subjects.

The chosen words are precise, active, colorful, and very descriptive. Additionally, they are clearly the best words and create an accurate mental picture for the reader.

The chosen words are well chosen and descriptive, but could be more precise for some comparison and contrast portions of the essay.

The word choice, while adequate, could obviously be better in creating a clear picture for the reader.

The word choice is poor, inappropriate in places, and prevents comprehension of the essay and its purpose.

The details of the essay are presented in a clear effective order and the author sticks to one pattern: subject-by-subject or point-by point. Both subjects are covered vividly and given a balance of time for discussion.

The details of the essay are presented in a clear order and the author sticks to one pattern: subject-by-subject or point-by point. Both subjects are given roughly the same space.

The details of the essay are in a discernible order, but the author does not stick to one pattern in the essay, or the details do not adequately support the author's controlling point during the comparing or contrasting process.

No discernible organization can be determined. Details are either missing or not in any discernible order.

Writing is smooth, skillful, and coherent. Sentences are strong and expressive and vary their structure. Consistent and appropriate tone and voice are used throughout the essay.

Writing is clear and sentences have varied structure. There is consistent tone and voice, which is appropriate.

Writing is clear, but sentences may lack variety or be very simplistic. The tone and/or voice is inconsistent.

The writing is confusing and hard to follow. It contains fragments and/or run-on sentences. The tone, voice, and even purpose is inconsistent and difficult to determine.