English 363 Revised Document Rubric

Absent or Below
Basic

Developing

Proficient

Advanced
Thesis fits the prompt and is
clear and specific. Blog and
Persuasive texts' theses take a
position that is legitimately
arguable and insightful. Profile
thesis offers a complex report
on the chosen topic.

Thesis is unidentifiable or
does not respond the
prompt.

Thesis fits the prompt, is

identifiable but vague, too
broad, or unrelated to the
document's paragraphs.

Thesis fits the prompt and is

clear and specific. Blog and
Persuasive thesis takes a
position. Profile thesis reports.

Essay has no coherent focal

point.

Essay is not consistently or

adequately linked to the
thesis.

Essay maintains consistent and Essay maintains a connection

adequate connection to the
to thesis with style.
thesis.

Tone usually suggests an

absence of audience
awareness.

Tone is often inconsistent or

suggests misreading of the
document's audience.

Usually employs appropriate

tone and language for the
appropriate audience.

Employs sophisticated tone

and language for the
appropriate audience.

Design usually does not

conform to the genre's
conventions.
Spelling, syntax, diction, or
punctuation errors impede
readability.

Generally uses appropriate

design that conforms to the
genre's conventions.
Spelling, syntax, diction, or
punctuation errors impede
readability or otherwise
distract from meaning.

Appropriate design conforms

to the genre's conventions.

Engaging design conforms to

genre's conventions.

Focus

Readability &
Style

Spelling, syntax, diction, or

Outstanding control of
punctuation errors are few and language, including effective
do not distract from meaning. diction and sentence variety.

Readability &
Style

Omits or uses incorrectly

MLA- or APA-style
parenthetical citations,
quotation marks, and works
cited list. Drops quotations
and ideas into text without
introducing source.

A few errors in MLA- or APAstyle parenthetical citations,

quotation marks, and works
cited list. Often includes
sources names without
introduction.

Correctly uses MLA- or APAstyle parenthetical citations,

quotation marks, and works
cited list. Usually introduces
each source fullyyou know
who did the research or
talking, for whom, and why.

Ideas not explained.

Typically explains concepts.

Develops concepts coherently. Develops concepts with

sophistication and creativity.

Inadequate, inappropriate, or Over uses or under-analyzes

irrelevant evidence.
evidence.

Analysis and
Organization

Supports the thesis and

paragraph claims with
credible, relevant, analyzed
evidence.

Unorganized: difficult to find Demonstrates some signs of Effectively ordered, unified

relationships between
organization, but occassionally paragraphs are generally
paragraphs or sentences.
includes abrupt or illogical
linked with useful transitions.
shifts and ineffective sequence
of ideas.

Correctly uses MLA- or APAstyle parenthetical citations,

quotation marks, and works
cited list. Introduces each
source fullyyou know who
did the research or talking, for
whom, and why.

Supports the thesis and

paragraph claims with wellselected and thoroughly,
insightfully analyzed evidence.
Effectively ordered, unified
paragraphs are sequenced
effectively and seamlessly.