1. Concept
Essay
Rubric
A
Focused
Explanation
A
Readable
Plan
Appropriate
Explanatory
Strategies
Language
Use
Mechanics
§ The
introduction
is
well
written,
directed,
appropriate,
and
prepares
readers
for
the
argument.
§ The
concept
is
appropriately
focused.
§ The
thesis
is
clear
and
well-­‐written
§ The
concept
and
explanation
appeal
to
readers’
interests.
§ The
writer
divides
the
information
into
clearly
distinguishable
topics.
§ The
writer
forecasts
the
topics,
presents
the
topics
in
a
logical
order,
and
gives
readers
cues
or
road
signs
to
guide
them,
such
as
topic
sentences,
transitions,
and
summaries.
The
writer
conveys
interest,
passion
and
engagement
to
the
reader.
The
writer
uses
precise,
expressive
language,
which
includes
appropriate
rhetorical
strategies.
Vivid
vocabulary
and
a
compelling
voice
energize
the
topic.
The
essay
includes
a
variety
of
sophisticated
sentence
structures.
Sentences
are
free
from
major
grammatical
errors.
There
are
no
major
punctuation
problems
and
few
to
no
typographical
errors.
The
essay
is
formatted
in
MLA
style
The
essay
meets
the
assignment
criteria.
All
references
to
sources
are
accompanied
by
in-­‐
text
citations.
Quotations
are
used
and
integrated
appropriately
There
is
an
accurate
works
cited
page.
§ The
introduction
is
directed,
appropriate,
and
prepares
readers
for
the
argument.
§ The
concept
is
limited
if
not
focused.
§ The
thesis
is
clear
and
well-­‐written
§ The
concept
and
explanation
may
appeal
to
some
readers’
interests.
§ The
writer
divides
the
information
into
topics.
§ The
writer
makes
an
attempt
to
forecast
the
topics,
present
the
topics
in
a
logical
order,
and
give
readers
cues
or
road
signs
to
guide
them,
such
as
topic
sentences,
transitions,
and
summaries.
Clear
sentences
and
accurate
vocabulary
engage
the
readers
in
the
topic
The
writer
attempts
to
use
the
appropriate
rhetorical
strategies.
The
essay
includes
a
variety
of
sentence
structures
Sentences
have
only
a
couple
of
major
grammatical
errors
and
no
pervasive
pattern
of
error.
The
essay
may
include
some
punctuation
problems
or
typographical
errors
The
essay
is
formatted
in
MLA
style
The
essay
meets
the
assignment
criteria.
References
to
sources
have
in-­‐text
citations.
Quotations
are
used
and
integrated
appropriately
The
works
cited
page
has
an
error
or
two
§ The
introduction
gets
the
reader
to
the
thesis.
It
is
appropriate
but
may
be
under-­‐developed
§ The
thesis
is
obvious
but
may
be
broad,
too
general,
or
summary-­‐like.
§ The
concept
and
explanation
include
fairly
common
knowledge
§ The
writer
makes
an
effort
to
organize
information,
but
it
may
be
scattered
or
unclear
§ The
writer
makes
an
attempt
to
forecast
the
topics,
but
the
order
may
be
difficult
to
understand.
There
are
few
road
signs
for
readers
to
follow.
The
essay
lacks
topic
sentences,
transitions,
and
summaries.
Sentences
show
mostly
accurate
vocabulary.
This
essay
may
contain
minor
problems
in
grammar,
punctuation,
or
word
choice,
which
distract
the
reader
but
do
not
get
in
the
way
of
ideas.
Sentences
show
some
variation
of
structure
and
style.
Meets
some
MLA
criteria.
The
essay
meets
most
of
the
essay
criteria.
In-­‐text
citations
are
present,
but
may
be
insufficient.
Most
quotations
are
used
and
integrated
appropriately
The
works
cited
page
has
errors
or
is
missing
sources

2. Concept
Essay
Rubric
§ The
introduction
is
too
short
or
discusses
the
wrong
topic.
§ The
introduction
does
not
introduce
the
issue.
§ The
thesis
addresses
the
wrong
topic
§ There
is
little
new
information
about
the
concept.
Most
people
already
understand
the
concept
as
it
is
explained.
§ The
essay
does
not
demonstrate
an
understanding
of
the
genre.
Sentences
are
very
simple,
showing
little
to
no
variation
in
structure.
The
essay
contains
serious
grammatical
errors,
making
the
essay
difficult
to
understand
at
times
Word
choices
are
very
repetitious
or
frequently
inaccurate.
The
essay
meets
some
of
the
assignment
criteria.
No
in-­‐text
citations.
Some
quotations
are
used
and
integrated
appropriately
The
works
cited
page
has
errors
or
is
missing
sources
A
Focused
Explanation
A
Readable
Plan
Appropriate
Explanatory
Strategies
Language
Use
Mechanics