Skip to main content
iRubric: Semester Exam/Discursive Essay rubric

iRubric: Semester Exam/Discursive Essay rubric

find rubric

edit   print   share   Copy to my rubrics   Bookmark   test run   assess...   delete   Do more...
Semester Exam/Discursive Essay 
Semester Exam/Discursive Essay
Guidelines for scoring a discursive essay
Rubric Code: PX994W9
By lilianaestefany
Ready to use
Public Rubric
Subject: English  
Type: Quiz  
Grade Levels: (none)

Powered by iRubric Discursive Essay
Guidelines for scoring a discursive essay
  Poor

1 pts

Fair

2 pts

Good

3 pts

Excellent

4 pts

Evidence of Planning

Question selection,
Question interpretation,
Outline form,
Hand map,
Any schematic that indicates preplanning.
Poor

No Thesis;
Simple list with no sense of organization.
Fair

Thesis may be unclear
with 3 points underneath;
points may not be clearly relevant.
Good

Sound thesis reflects prompt with
clearly relevamt supporting points.
Excellent

Sound thesis supporting points and a logical method of organization:
consider pros/cons
categories
clarify basis for sequence: gen-specific,point/counter,
order of importance
Introduction

Includes a grabber and transition to thesis: Give background information, Pose an importasnt question, use a quote, some combination of the above.
Poor

Introduction is flat, opening does not stir interest or connect to thesis.
Fair

Intoduction is adequate but does not stir attention.
Good

Introduction stirs interest and prepares reader for prompt discussion.
Excellent

Introduction is creative, stirs interest and prepares reader for prompt discussion.
Thesis Statement

Prompt is stated into a main idea for the essay.
Poor

Thesis is not present, is not clear, or is not relevant to the prompt.
Fair

Thesis is present but doesn't include reasons that support the prompt.
Good

Thesis is present and clearly written with some reasons that support the prompt.
Excellent

Thesis is present with a clear method of development that directly responds to the prompt.
Main Idea of each paragraph

Is a piece of the prompt restated into a topic sentence? One point per paragraph.
Poor

Main idea is not present or is unclear
or more than one point is covered.
Fair

Main Idea is present but does not clearly relate to the prompt or more than one point is covered.
Good

One main Idea is present and clearly written.
Excellent

The Main Idea is a clear restating of a sub heading of the prompt.
Supporting details

Does each detail support, or tell more about the topic? Includes relevant examples, illustrations, reasons, definition, clarifications.
Poor

The details do not support the main idea.
Fair

Some of the details support the main idea, but some blur or shift focus.
Good

Each detail supports the main idea, but no follow up or illustrative sentences
are provided.
Excellent

Each detail supports, or tells more about the topic. Follow up sentences provide additional support and illustration.
(7 sentence minimum)
Transitions (Linking words)

Do linking words, or transition words, connect details so that the paragraph and essay reads smoothly?
Poor

Transitions are not present or do not effectively direct readers from one example to the next.
Fair

Transitions are present but do not effectively direct readers from one example to the next. They may be basic and/or cofusing.
Good

Transitions are present and direct readers from one example to the next though not to the level of excellent. They may be basic transition words throughout.
Excellent

Transitions are present and seamlessly direct readers from one example to the next. They exhibit sophistication on the part of the writer.
Complexity of Thought

Paper provides a layered view of the topic, discusses more than one side of the issue.
Poor

Linear thinking with no consideration of an opposing viewpoint or counter argument.
Fair

Paper mentions an opposing view but fails to counter or explain as another possible view.
Good

Paper explains and/ or counters the viability of an opposing view.
Excellent

Paper explains and/ or counters the viability of an an opposing view with direct, clear and creative reasoning.
Logical order

Does the order of the supporting details make sense?
Poor

The supporting details within the essay as a whole are not developed in a logical order.
Fair

The writer attempts to develop the essay in a logical order, but some of the essay may be presented in an order readers may find confusing.
Good

Most of the essay is presented in a logical order, and readers should have little trouble following the supporting details.
Excellent

The essay is developed in a logical order appropriate to the writer's purpose and reader's needs.
Conclusion

Does the conclusion restate the topic in a new way to tie the details together, offers suggestion, mentions hopes or feas about the future, ends with a clincher
Poor

There is no conclusion; the essay just ends without restating the topic. It doesn't tie the details together in a fresh way.
Fair

There is an attempt at a conclusion, but it doesn't restate the topic clearly or tie the details together in a fresh way. (simple repetition of the main points)
Good

The conclusion sums up the topic by restating it in a fresh way; it ties the details together in a non-repetitive fashion.
Excellent

The conclusion sums up the topic by restating the thesis in a fresh way; it ties the details together in a quote, challenge, future hope or fear, or prediction. (zinger)
Grammar and Mechanics

Does the paper indicate that the writer has control of the rules of spelling, grammar and mechanics
Poor

The essay contains 8 or more errors in usage, spelling and mechanics:
There/their/they're
to, too
pro/ant agr
commas, semi and colon use.
Fair

The essay contains 5 to 7 errors in usage, spelling and mechanics.
Good

The essay contains 3 to 4 errors in usage, spelling and mechanics.
Excellent

The essay contains 1 to 2 errors in usage, spelling, and mechanics. Almost flawless.
Language and Style

Word Choice, sentences, literary devices
Poor

Immature word choice, little sentence variety, cliches, pronoun switching, use of "I" pronoun throughout, wordiness
or inflated diction.
Fair

Limited word choice,
some sentence variety, some pronoun switching,
some awkward sentences.
Good

Word choice generally adequate, sentence variety and fluency, written in 3rd person for the most part, few awkward moments.
Excellent

Mature, precise word choice, interesting
sentence variety, written in 3rd person, use of imagery and/or figuarative writing. Pure clarity of expression.



Keywords:
  • Discursive

Subjects:


Discuss this rubric




Do more with this rubric:
Preview

Preview

Preview this rubric.
Edit

Edit

Modify this rubric.
Copy

Copy

Make a copy of this rubric and begin editing the copy.

Print

Print

Show a printable version of this rubric.
Categorize

Categorize

Add this rubric to multiple categories.
Bookmark

Bookmark

Bookmark this rubric for future reference.
Assess
Test run

Test run

Test this rubric or perform an ad-hoc assessment.
Grade

Grade

Build a gradebook to assess students.
Collaborate

Collaborate

Apply this rubric to any object and invite others to assess.
Share
Publish

Publish

Link, embed, and showcase your rubrics on your website.
Email

Email

Email this rubric to a friend.
Discuss

Discuss

Discuss this rubric with other members.
 

Do more with rubrics than ever imagined possible.

Only with iRubrictm.


Copyright © 2024 Reazon Systems, Inc.  All rights reserved.
n16