Informative Essay with Research - Rubric

Advanced / Proficient / Basic / Below Basic
4 / 3 / 2 / 1
Focus
Writing clearly to convey a well-defined controlling point /
  • Strong thesis statement
  • Clear, controlling idea
  • Sharp, distinct focus identifying topic, task, and audience
  • Remains on topic throughout
/
  • Clear thesis statement
  • Evident controlling idea
  • Identifies and introduces the topic clearly
  • Remains on topic throughout
/
  • Unclear thesis statement
  • Underdeveloped ideas
  • Does not identify or introduce the topic
  • Ideas wander from topic
/
  • No thesis statement
  • Controlling idea is undeveloped or missing
  • Does not identify or introduce the topic

4 / 3 / 2 / 1
Organization
Purposeful sequence /
  • Smooth, logical structure
  • Information is organized so each new element builds on what precedes it to create a whole.
  • Uses transitions to create unity and effectively clarify relationships among ideas
/
  • Logical structure
  • Information is organized to make important connections and distinctions.
  • Uses transitions to clarify relationships among ideas
/
  • Limited/Flawed structure
  • Attempts to organize information
  • Some basic transitions are present.
/
  • No logical structure
  • No attempt to use transitions

4x4 / 4x3 / 4x2 / 4x1
Content
Ideas developed through facts, definitions, concrete examples, explanations, data, observations, etc. /
  • Develops and analyzes the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, and examples
  • Includes effective, relevant graphics and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension
/
  • Develops and analyzes the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or and examples
  • Includes graphics and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension
/
  • Little development and analysis of the topic
  • Irrelevant and/or ineffective use of graphics and multimedia
/
  • Attempts to provide information related to the topic, but demonstrates a lack of understanding
  • Information is irrelevant or inaccurate
  • Irrelevant and/or ineffective use of graphics and multimedia

4 / 3 / 2 / 1
Voice and Style
Choice, use, and arrangement of words and sentence structure create tone and voice /
  • Uses precise language and subject-specific vocabulary that expresses ideas accurately and concisely
  • Clear and understandable writing
  • Sophisticated and varied sentence structure
  • Awareness of and respect for target audience
  • Establishes and maintains a formal style and objective tone
/
  • Uses precise language that expresses ideas accurately and concisely
  • Understandable writing
  • Varies sentence structure
  • Awareness of target audience
  • Thoughtful, appropriate word choice
  • Establishes a formal style and objective tone
/
  • Writing is somewhat difficult to understand
  • Repetitive sentence structure
  • Limited understanding of target audience
  • Limited word choice
  • Lack of formal style
  • Tone is subjective
/
  • Writing is difficult to understand
  • Incorrect sentence structure
  • Disregard for target audience
  • Slang/inappropriate word choice
  • Lack of formal style
  • Tone is subjective

4 / 3 / 2 / 1
Conventions /
  • Strong control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation
  • Paper is virtually error-free
  • If applicable, Works Cite Page and in-text citations follow MLA format
/
  • Adequate control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation
  • Errors in conventions do not significantly impact meaning
/
  • Limited control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation
  • Errors in conventions impact meaning
/
  • Little to no control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation
  • Errors severely impact meaning