Wakefield High School

Wakefield High School Student’s name: ______

Senior Project

ESSAY Rubric (Revised December 2015)

Directions: To evaluate essay, check one number for each criterion. Then, average your checks to determine overall rating of “Outstanding,” “Pass” or “Needs Improvement.” When uncertain, choose the one with the majority of checks. Circle overall rating.

RATING

/

DESCRIPTION

Outstanding

/ 1.  Excellent coherence – reads easily: logically organized and essentially error-free
2.  Clever and effective introduction – catchy, interesting and clear
3.  Highly successful completion of all 5 objectives – as evidenced by the inclusion of numerous facts, in-depth examples and detailed description of field experiences.
4.  At least 3 different types of research (book, interview, field experience, internet, etc. – included and correctly cited within the essay (minimum of 5 internal citations)
5.  Superior sentence and paragraph structure – demonstrates writer’s advanced writing proficiency
6.  No glaring errors – in grammar or punctuation, including no 2nd person (you).
7.  MLA Format Correct – follows all MLA requirements for heading, page numbering, paragraphing, internal citations and Works Cited and Consulted (pages).

Pass

/ 1.  Generally coherent -- a few problems with organization or editing that occasionally interrupt or distract the reader.
2.  Straightforward and clear introduction.
3.  Satisfactory completion of all 5 objectives - evidence (inclusion of facts, details, examples and field experience) is included but not in great depth.
4.  One or two different types of research (book, interview, field experience, internet, etc.) – included but may or may not be correctly cited within the essay (Minimum of 3 internal citations.)
5.  Satisfactory sentence and paragraph structure* – demonstrates the student’s ability to write properly structured paragraphs and grammatically correct sentences.
6.  Some errors in grammar and punctuation, - which may also include use of 2nd person (you).
7.  A few MLA formatting problems – does not meet all MLA requirements for heading, page numbering, paragraphing, internal citations and Works Cited and Consulted (pages).

Needs

Improvement / 1.  Lacking in coherence – a poorly organized essay marred with errors that often interrupt, distract, or may frustrate the reader to the point of giving up.
2.  Ineffective or unclear introduction.
3.  Not all objectives completed and/or substantiated with verifiable evidence.
4.  Little, if any, research –included and/or correctly documented within the essay (2 or fewer internal citations.)
5.  Unsatisfactory sentence and paragraph structure* – the student has not written properly structured paragraphs and grammatically correct sentences.
6.  Many grammatical errors.
7.  MLA format unsatisfactory – incorrect or lacking heading, page numbering, paragraphing, internal citations, and/or Works Cited and Consulted (pages).

* Run-On Sentences (RO), Sentence Fragments (SF) and Comma Splices (CS), for example

Strengths:

Suggestions for Improvement

______

Panelist’s Signature:______Date:______