Grading Rubric Intro and Conclusion: Clear thesis statement in the intro. Focus. Topic is explained in both intro and conclusion Focus and Organization: Essay stays on topic. Main ideas connect to thesis and follow a logical order. Development: Clear paragraph ideas with main ideas, details, information, and other support. (Severe language issues may effect meaning) Grammar: Attention to rules of standard written English. Style: Attention to basic strategies for effective writing. 5 – The introduction and conclusion capture the reader’s attention and fully reveal the topic and the writer’s purpose. Goes above and beyond. 5 – All paragraphs relate to explaining the thesis. Main ideas flow in a logical order. The construction of the essay is solid and focused. 5 – The paragraphs thorough the essay are interesting and full of rich, appropriate details on the topic. 5 – The essay has no more than 5 grammar errors. MLA format is correct. 5 – Attention to transitions, word choice, concise language, sentence flow, and readability. 4 – The introduction and conclusion are interesting and reveal the topic and the writer’s purpose, but they lack the above and beyond effort of a “5.” 4 –All paragraphs relate to the thesis statement. All ideas are in a logical order, but there may be minor deviations from the focus. 4 – Most of the paragraphs are interesting and developed with adequate details supporting the main ideas. 4 – The essay has no more than 10 grammar errors. MLA is correct. 4 – Efficient use of above style components overall. 3 – The essay has an introduction with a clear thesis statement, but the intro/conclusion may be too basic or general. 3 – The essay is generally on-topic, but may not be in the most logical order and may have one or two instances of going off-topic. 3 – The paragraphs may be clear, but they lack enough details and information to fully explain the main ideas. 3 - The essay has no more than 15 grammar errors. Errors in MLA Format. 3 – Some attention to the attributes of style mentioned above, but may occasionally read awkward. 2 – The introduction and conclusion are weak, unfocused and/or lack basic explanation for the topic. 2 – The main ideas are rarely organized around a clear focus. The order of paragraphs feels random. 2 – The paragraphs are under- developed and need more information and support for the main ideas. 2 - The essay has significant grammar and/or language errors. Less than 20 errors. 2 – Does not make use of effective style strategies. Often reads awkward. 1 – The introduction and conclusion are not developed enough for a reader to understand the point of the essay. 1 – The essay fails to meet all aspects of focus and organization for college level writing. 1 – Severely underdeveloped paragraphs. * ...

1. Grading Rubric
Intro and
Conclusion: Clear
thesis statement
in the intro.
Focus. Topic is
explained in both
intro and
conclusion
Focus and
Organization:
Essay stays on
topic. Main ideas
connect to thesis
and follow a
logical order.
Development:
Clear paragraph
ideas with main
ideas, details,
information, and
other support.
(Severe language
issues may effect
meaning)
Grammar:
Attention to rules of

2. standard written
English.
Style:
Attention to basic
strategies for
effective writing.
5 – The introduction
and conclusion
capture the reader’s
attention and fully
reveal the topic and
the writer’s purpose.
Goes above and
beyond.
5 – All paragraphs
relate to
explaining the
thesis. Main ideas
flow in a logical
order. The
construction of
the essay is solid
and focused.
5 – The paragraphs
thorough the essay
are interesting and
full of rich,
appropriate details
on the topic.
5 – The essay has
no more than 5

3. grammar errors.
MLA format is
correct.
5 – Attention to
transitions, word
choice, concise
language, sentence
flow, and
readability.
4 – The introduction
and conclusion are
interesting and
reveal the topic and
the writer’s purpose,
but they lack the
above and beyond
effort of a “5.”
4 –All paragraphs
relate to the
thesis statement.
All ideas are in a
logical order, but
there may be
minor deviations
from the focus.
4 – Most of the
paragraphs are
interesting and
developed with
adequate details
supporting the main
ideas.

4. 4 – The essay has
no more than 10
grammar errors.
MLA is correct.
4 – Efficient use of
above style
components
overall.
3 – The essay has an
introduction with a
clear thesis
statement, but the
intro/conclusion may
be too basic or
general.
3 – The essay is
generally on-topic,
but may not be in
the most logical
order and may
have one or two
instances of going
off-topic.
3 – The paragraphs
may be clear, but
they lack enough
details and

5. information to fully
explain the main
ideas.
3 - The essay has no
more than 15
grammar errors.
Errors in MLA
Format.
3 – Some attention
to the attributes of
style mentioned
above, but may
occasionally read
awkward.
2 – The introduction
and conclusion are
weak, unfocused
and/or lack basic
explanation for the
topic.
2 – The main ideas
are rarely
organized around
a clear focus. The
order of
paragraphs feels
random.
2 – The paragraphs
are under-

6. developed and
need more
information and
support for the
main ideas.
2 - The essay has
significant grammar
and/or language
errors. Less than 20
errors.
2 – Does not make
use of effective
style strategies.
Often reads
awkward.
1 – The introduction
and conclusion are
not developed
enough for a reader
to understand the
point of the essay.
1 – The essay
fails to meet all
aspects of focus
and organization
for college level
writing.
1 – Severely
underdeveloped
paragraphs.
*Severe language

7. errors.
1 – The essay has
severe grammar
and language
errors. It does not
meet college-level
writing standards.
MLA errors.
1 – Very frequently
reads awkward.
Does not meet
college-level writing
standards.
(Each column is given a score out of 5) ↓
INTRO AND CONLUSION: 4/5
FOCUS AND ORGANIZATION: 5/5
DEVELOPMENT: 3/5
GRAMMAR: 5/5
STYLE: 4/5
(Each column’s score is then multiplied by four, so each column
is then worth 20
points) ↓

8. 4x4=16/20
5x4=20/20
3x5=12/20
5x4=20/20
4x4=16/20
(Each of the five column’s scores out of 20 are then added
together) ↓
16+20+12+20+16 = 84
(The final score is scored out of 100) ↓
Final Score: 84/100
ENG 100
Prof. Nesbitt
Spring 2019
Essay #3: Research
Pick a controversial topic with two distinct, arguable sides

9. (marijuana legalization, abortion,
police reform, education reform, etc.). Using the library
database, write an essay discussing the
issue. What major points would someone who wants to learn
about your topic need to know?
This may include things like general history, data and analysis,
or public perception of your
issue. What specific evidence compels you? After you explain
the issue, pick a side and argue for
it. What about the evidence you’ve discovered leads you to
believe this? What are some possible
solutions to this issue?
Make sure your topic is SPECIFIC. Make sure you don’t write
on general topics like
“ABORTION” or “GUN CONTROL” as a whole. What specific
areas within those issues can
you focus on?
Make sure to check your work for logical fallacies!
Your essay must:
o Have an intro with a thesis.
o Have a conclusion.
o Be organized.

10. o Be 5+ pages.
o Be in MLA Format.
o Use proper in-text citations.
o Have a “Works Cited” page.
o Be checked for spelling, grammar, and
wordiness.
ESSAY #3 WORKSHOP DRAFT DUE: Monday, Dec. 9th
IN-CLASS ESSAY #3: Wednesday, Dec. 11th
ESSAY #3 FINAL DRAFT DUE TO CANVAS: Friday, Dec.
13th by 11:59 PM