Essay Structural Requirements:
I. Introduction
- Hook
- Opening Statement
- Thesis
- Map Statement
II. Body Paragraph 1
- Topic Statement
- Reason 1
- Example 1
- Explanation 1
- Reason 2
- Example 2
- Explanation 2
- Transition
III. Body Paragraph 2
- Topic Statement
- Reason 1
- Example 1
- Explanation 1
- Reason 2
- Example 2
- Explanation 2
- Transition
IV. Body Paragraph 3
- Topic Statement
- Reason 1
- Example 1
- Explanation 1
- Reason 2
- Example 2
- Explanation 2
V. Conclusion
- Summary
- Closing Statement
Polish’s Essay Grading Rubric
The Introduction:
5 10 15 20 25
Lacks a hook Has a strong hook (does not need to be a quote) that says talks about the period right before the general topic
Does not explain Clearly connects the hook
the hook to the thesis
Lacks a thesis Has a strong, clear thesis that answers the main question
Lacks a map statement Has a clear map statement that outlines the three body paragraphs
The Three Body Paragraphs:
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Lack topic statements Clearly state the topic in the first sentence
Lack reasons to Have strong reasons explain the
explain the topic statements topic statement
Lack specific examples Have two specific examples to develop the reasons in each paragraph
Examples do not give details Examples give the who, what, where, when, why, and how of a situation.
Have examples that lack explanation Explain each example and connect it to the main argument.
Lack transitions Smoothly transition from one paragraph to another
The Conclusion
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Does not re-state thesis Re-states thesis in different words.
Does not summarize main argument Summarizes main argument in different words
Lacks a closing statement Closes with a memorable line that
connects essay to the period immediately following the essay
Points will automatically be deducted for:
Asking questions
Addressing the reader (“Look at Washington”)
Writing “you”
Writing “I,” “us,” “our” or “we” in any paragraph (UNLESS I TELL YOU OTHERWISE)
Abbreviating words like “can’t,” “govt.” or “don’t”
Using present or future tense to talk about past events (“Roosevelt will start the war”)
Writing “this essay is about,” “this paragraph is about,” “for example,” or “in conclusion”
Starting a sentence with “well,” “but,” “and,” “cause,” “which,” “in which,” “yes,” “no,” or
“or”
Repeating a sentence or phrase word-for-word
Using a quote without citing the source
Using slang or curse words (“Germany sucked and their government was b.s.”)
Writing sentence fragments (“Although it was a good war”)
Writing run-on sentences (“Roosevelt was a good president he defended the nation”)
Vague examples (“There was this battle during the war where a lot of people died”)
Not writing a title
Using the words “essay,” “test” or “Polish” in your title