Make Grading Easier With this Persuasive Essay Rubric
“A” Paper
ORGANIZATION: Essay has an introduction with thesis statement, at least two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each body
paragraph has a topic sentence. Essay remains focused on the topic. Points are presented in a logical manner with transitions.
IDEAS/DEVELOPMENT: Writer has taken a stand on an issue he or she knows something about. That stand has been presented clearly, backed with evidence and facts, and elaborated on with relevant commentary.
MECHANICS: Writer consistently uses educated English with little or no errors in mechanics.
VOICE: The writer demonstrates conviction with originality
WORD CHOICE/SENTENCE STRUCTURE: Writer uses language at the appropriate level for the assignment and the class. There are a variety of sentence types.
MISCELLANEOUS: Essay has a title. The introduction “hooks the reader.” The essay is somewhat interesting to read.
“B” Paper
ORGANIZATION: Essay has an introduction with thesis statement, at least two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Body paragraphs have a topic sentence and are focused on the issue.
IDEAS/DEVELOPMENT: Writer has taken a stand on an issue he or she knows something about. That stand has been presented clearly, backed with evidence and facts, but lacks some relevant commentary.
MECHANICS: Writer consistently uses educated English with an occasional error.
VOICE: The writer demonstrates conviction with originality
WORD CHOICE/SENTENCE STRUCTURE: Writer uses language at the appropriate level for the assignment and the class. There are a variety of sentence types.
MISCELLANEOUS: Essay has a title. The introduction “hooks the reader.”
“C” Paper
ORGANIZATION: Essay has an introduction with thesis statement, at least two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Body paragraphs have topic sentences and are somewhat focused on the issue.
IDEAS/DEVELOPMENT: Writer has taken a stand on an issue he or she knows something about. That stand has been presented clearly, and backed with evidence and facts. There may be an attempt to elaborate with commentary.
MECHANICS: Writer consistently uses educated English but marred by consistent mechanical errors.
VOICE: The writer tries to demonstrate conviction but does not communicate it effectively.
WORD CHOICE/SENTENCE STRUCTURE: Writer uses language at the appropriate level for the assignment and the class.
“D” Paper
ORGANIZATION: Essay has an introduction with thesis statement, at least two body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
IDEAS/DEVELOPMENT: Writer has taken a stand on an issue he or she knows something about. That stand has been presented clearly, and backed with evidence and facts.
MECHANICS: Writer uses educated English, but errors make the writing very difficult to comprehend.
VOICE: The writer obviously just wanted to finish.
This post is part of the series: Rubrics
End arguments, raise standards, and improve instruction with rubrics.
