Multiple-Paragraph Essay Rubric

Topic/Idea Development
1	2		3				4	5		6
*Little topic/idea development, organization, and/or details *Little or no awareness of audience and/or task	*Limited or weak topic/idea development, organization, and/or details *Limited awareness of audience and/or task		*Rudimentary topic/idea development and/or organization *Basic supporting details *Simplistic language				*Moderate topic/idea development and organization *Adequate, relevant details *Some variety in language	*Full topic-idea development *Logical organization *Strong details *Appropriate use of language		*Rich topic/idea development *Careful and/or subtle organization *Effective/rich us of language
Notes/Comments
				Nicely Done					Needs Improvement
Topic Development	The overall effect of the essay			q clearly stated thesis q clear, concise, original introduction q body paragraphs reflect and develop thesis q conclusion nicely summarizes/completes the essay q thorough and correct response to the prompt					q unclear or missing thesis q weak, unfocused introduction q unfocused or underdeveloped body paragraphs q missing, weak, or unclear conclusion q incorrect or incomplete response to the prompt
Organization	The degree to which the essay is *focused *clearly and logically ordered *clarified by paragraphs and transitions			q effective prewriting q consistently focused from beginning to end q effective use of paragraphs q effective use of transitions					q ineffective prewriting q unfocused: ___lacks unity ___lacks coherence q organization into paragraphs q transitions between ideas and/or paragraphs
Details	The degree to which the essay includes details and examples that develop the main ideas			q carefully chosen, relevant details q details show, instead of just telling					q more effective choice of relevant details q development of ideas beyond listing
Language/Style	The degree to which the use of language, including vocabulary, word choice, clarity, and sentence variety enhances the essay			q varied sentence structure q word choice enhances meaning q shows personal and unique voice, tone, and style					q more variety in sentence structure q more variety/richness in word choice q lacks distinct or personal voice, tone, and style
Sentence Structure, Mechanics, Usage, and Grammar
1	2			3					4
*Errors seriously interfere with communication AND *Little control of sentence structure, grammar and usage, and mechanics	*Errors interfere somewhat with communication and/or *Too many errors relative to the length of the essay or complexity of sentence structure, grammar and usage, and mechanics			*Errors do not interfere with communication and/or *Few errors relative to length of essay or complexity of sentence structure, grammar and usage, and mechanics					*Control of sentence structure, grammar and usage and mechanics (length and complexity of essay provide opportunity for student to show control of standard English conventions)
Notes/Comments
						Nicely Done			Needs Improvement
Sentences	The degree to which the essay includes sentences that are clear and correct in structure					q clear and correctly structured sentences			q unclear, awkward, or incorrect sentence structure ___ROS ___SF ___ AWK ___UNCLEAR
Grammar and Usage	The degree to which the essay demonstrates correct *use of standard grammatical rules of English *word usage and vocabulary					q shows understanding of grammatical rules q control of word choice and usage			q incorrect application of grammatical rules q word choice and usage ___slang ___incorrect ___inappropriate
Mechanics	The degree to which the essay demonstrates correct *spelling *capitalization *punctuation					q evidence of proofreading q control of spelling, capitalization, and punctuation adds clarity q essay shows advanced knowledge of mechanics			q more careful proofreading q spelling q capitalization q punctuation ___commas ___apostrophes ___ end punctuation ___other:
Meets Requirements for Final Draft		No = 0 __rubric __heading __format __drafts/prewriting __order							Yes = 1
Total Points (out of 11):					Final Grade: