Jacoby’s Essay Rubric 2015
1. INTRO and THESIS (10 pts. possible)
__ Presents a clear defendable claim in the first sentence(s) of essay
__ Opening sentences are evaluative and substantive, and NOT a repeat of the question
__ Contextualizes next: explains the greater context of where the subject of question fits in
Example: the US Civil War was the result of an ongoing conflict over states rights
__ Discusses plan, using specific reference, and general statements
__ Discusses significance of the subject, the claim, or plan
__ Uses an active and sophisticated voice – evidence of careful planning and clear understanding
2. OPENING SENTENCES (10 pts. possible)
__ Starts each paragraph with a defensible claim
__ Opening sentences clearly refer back to thesis with the intent of PROVING the thesis claim true
__ Opening sentences include the subject of the paragraph
__ Analyzes or contextualizes this claim in the second (or subsequent) sentence(s)
__ Opening sentences are sophisticated and not just a repeat of the question
3. SUPPORTING EVIDENCE(10 pts. possible)
__ Providesappropriate supporting evidence to support the claim of opening sentences of paragraphs
__ Analyzed evidence and claim in terms of at least one of the following for each bit of evidence
Significance – why it matters
Determine cause and/or effect – showing what caused it, or what it will change
Determine reasons for effectiveness (or lack of)
Determine reasons for outcomes or the responses of groups (or individuals)
Connect to events and outcomes, beliefs and actions
Account for successes and failures
Account for why there was a change over time
4. PERSUASIVENESS OF ARGUMENT(10 pts. possible)
__ Uses evidence persuasively to prove the claim of the paragraph, and of the thesis
__ Explains with some sophistication and a good deal of planning how the evidence proves claim
__ Uses an active voice (minimizes use of words like “he was,” “it was,” “they were…”)
__ Essay flows with an obvious confidence in all parts of the question with balance and flow
5. SYNTHESIS – in the FINAL PARAGRAPH(10 pts. possible)
__ Introduces a subject which has no connection to the subject of this essay
__ Skillfully makes connection to this subject
__ Explains connection with specific evidence and general statements
__ Explains connection with a general “umbrella” they both fall under
Subjects could be from a different historical period, situation, era, or geographical area
Subjects could also be from a different theme and/or approach to history that is not the focus of the essay (such as political, economic, social, cultural, or intellectual history
Subject could also be from a different discipline or field of inquiry (such as economics, government and politics, art history, or anthropology
TOTAL SCORE ______(out of 50)