Rubric for Essay Writing Type Activity (The Contemporary World)
Revised: Nov. 18, 2020
Category
A. Introduction
(Organization)
B. Focus on Topic (Content)
C. Support for Topic (Content)
D. Conclusion (Organization)
E. Cohesiveness of the
composition and Coherence
of Ideas, Grammar, Spelling,
and mechanics of the English
language (Conventions)
Excellent (4pts)
The introduction is inviting,
states the main topic & position
and previews the structure of the
paper. It explicitly connects with
the class discussion.
There is one clear, well-focused
topic. Main idea stands out and
is supported by detailed
information.
Relevant and important details
give the reader important
information that goes beyond
the obvious or predictable.
The conclusion is strong and
leaves the reader with a feeling
that they understand what the
writer is “getting at.”
All ideas are cohesively &
coherently written. The writer
makes no errors in grammar,
spelling or mechanics of the
English language that distract
the reader from the content.
V. Good (3pts)
The introduction clearly states
the main topic & position and
previews the structure of the
paper, but it is not particularly
inviting to the reader. There is a
loose connection with the class
discussion.
Main idea is clear, but the
supporting information is
general.
Supporting details and
information are relevant and
important, but one key issue or
portion of the topic is
unsupported.
The conclusion is recognizable
and ties up almost all the loose
ends.
Most of the ideas are cohesively
& coherently written. The writer
makes 1-2 errors in grammar,
spelling or mechanics of the
English language that distract
the reader from the content.
Fair (2pts)
The introduction states the main
topic & position but does not
adequately preview the structure
of the paper nor is it particularly
inviting to the reader. It does not
connect with the class
discussion.
Main idea is somewhat clear but
there is a need for more
supporting information.
Supporting details and
information are relevant and
important, but several key or
portions of the topic are
unsupported.
The conclusion is recognizable
but does not tie up several loose
ends.
Only a few of the ideas are
cohesively & coherently written.
The writer makes 3-4 errors in
grammar, spelling or mechanics
of the English language that
distract the reader from the
content.
Poor (1pt)
There is no clear introduction of
the main topic, position, or
structure of the paper. There is
no connection with the class
discussion.
The main idea is not clear.
There is a seemingly random
collection of information.
Supporting details and
information are typically unclear
or not related to the topic.
There is no clear conclusion.
The paper just ends.
All ideas are incoherently
written. The composition in is
incohesive. The writer makes
more than 4 errors in grammar,
spelling or mechanics of the
English language that distract
the reader from the content.