ESSAY RUBRIC

The C essay is competent,

The B essay is organized,
exhibiting no serious or frequent insightful, and clear
deficiencies

The A essay excels in

organization, insight, and clarity

The D essay is deficient in

organization, insight, or
clarity

Organizatio
n

The C essay addresses the topic

and offers a thesis, but it may
center on observations instead of
an argument. The thesis may
not convey exploration of the
topic with sufficient complexity
or it may be too broad, unclear,
or awkward. Displays evidence
of surface reading and an
undigested argument due to
generalities and vague phrases in
thesis and topic sentences.

The B essay exhibits a

clear, argumentative
purpose and a sufficiently
narrow focus. It explores
the topic in some depth by
addressing WHY. Displays
sufficient evidence of close
reading and a digested
argument due to having a
clear, argumentative, and
organized thesis with
related clear,
argumentative, and
organized topic sentences.

The A essay exhibits a strong,

succinct, argumentative purpose.
It focuses solely on one
argument, allowing the writer to
explore a theme with more depth
and complexity. Organization
allows writer to pursue one
central WHY throughout body.
Displays ample evidence of
careful, meticulous reading due
to specific phrases in thesis and
topic sentences.

The D essay may lack a clear

thesis, or the thesis may be
weak or overly general. One
or more topic sentences are
summary and not opinions.
May display little evidence of
reading and lack a grasp of
the topic.

Insight

The C essay offers support for its

thesis; however, this support may
not be evaluated or analyzed
thoroughly. It may state and restate claims instead of developing
them. It may proceed
formulaically or mechanically.
Analysis may be too general in
places. Relies a bit too heavily on
summary and/or quotes rather
than thoughtful commentary.

The B essay proceeds

logically and offers specific
support for its thesis. Its
analysis is developed as
opposed to being merely
stated. Although writer
pursues a WHY, analysis
may be diluted by straying
from quote or taking on
more than one argument.

The A essay is distinguished by

sound logic and development. It
offers sufficient and appropriate
support for thesis with concrete,
specific and relevant evidence. It

Clarity

The C essay employs readable

prose, but the sentences may be
simple and lack variety. May use
RIP words and some overly
vague or general statements.
Clarity may be inhibited by
wordiness and/or awkward
syntax. Reader may have to reread some sentences and edit to
decipher meaning.

In the B essay, sentences

are sufficiently varied and
employ subordinate clauses
to help organize complex
ideas. Language is
generally concise, clear, and
effective. May use a couple
RIP words. No work is
required of the reader.

In the A essay, sentences are

skillfully crafted & effectively
varied. Language is fresh, precise,
& more than anything else,
economical. Sentences are fluid
and polished. Does not use RIP
words. Reader effortlessly grasps
meaning and is able to absorb
argument.

Purpose
& Argument

Analysis &
Development

Language,
Syntax, &
Diction

The D essay may fail to

provide adequate support for
its thesis; it may substitute
repetition for a development.
It may lack coherence. Reads
exhibits clarity, depth, originality, more like a random or vague
and complexity in its analysis by analysis with no clear, central
focus. Body is dominated by
probing only ONE argument
summary and/or quotations
instead of a few.
rather than thoughtful and
relevant commentary.
The D essay lacks sentence
variety and suffers from
extremely awkward syntax.
Wordy sentences are
pervasive and distracting.
May use RIP words to a
damaging level. Writer relies
solely on generalities and
vague statements. Reader has
to work hard to decipher a
meaning.

ESSAY RUBRIC

Clarity

Mechanics &
Formatting

The C essay employs generally

correct grammar, syntax and
spelling. Errors, however, may
be serious enough to detract
from the effectiveness of the
essay. Some shifts to past tense.
Some errors in MLA format.

The B essay employs

generally correct grammar,
syntax, & spelling. Errors,
when they appear, do not
detract from the overall
effectiveness of the essay.
1-2 MLA errors (possible).

The A essay is free of errors in

grammar, syntax, and
punctuation. No MLA formatting
errors.

A D essay is often
characterized by grammatical
errors, such as but not limited
to: fragments, comma splices,
agreement errors, pronounantecedent errors, & several
shifts in tense. It may be rife
with spelling errors.

The F essay is seriously deficient. It may exhibit a poor grasp of the assignment or be severely deficient in clarity, organization and insight. It may lack a clear
thesis or stray from the text entirely. Evidence of plagiarism will also result in a grade of F.