The rubric evaluates student essays on five criteria: paragraph structure, spelling and punctuation, organization, discussion of theory, and citation of sources. An excellent essay will have well-structured paragraphs with a clear opening, multiple body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph that restates the theory. It will also have no spelling errors, correct punctuation, and cite at least three sources.

1. Essay Rubric
Student Name:
Excellent Good Fair Poor Score
Paragraph Clearly Stated. At least 4 Must have at 1-2 Paragraphs.
At least 5 paragraphs. 4-5 least 2-3 Does not stay
sentences per Sentences per paragraphs. on topic. 2-3
paragraph. paragraph. Each paragraph Sentences per
have 4 paragraph.
sentences.
Spelling & No spelling Minor spelling At least 5 Frequent
Punctuation errors. All correct errors. Decent spelling and spelling errors
punctuation. punctuation. punctuation and
errors. punctuation
mistakes.
Organization Opening Opening Opening No opening
Paragraph that paragraph. At Paragraph. 1-2 paragraph.
states theory. At least 2 body body Body
least 3 body paragraphs. paragraphs that paragraphs are
paragraphs. Concluding mention off topic. No
Concluding paragraph & theory. detailed closing
paragraph that restating paragraph.
restates theory. theory.
Theory Clearly stated. Do Clearly stated. Theory is Theory is not
you States few stated. Only clear. No
agree/Disagree? opinions. give your opinions
Why do you Theory is most opinion. Strays mentioned.
agree/Disagree? of topic through away from Theory is not
Theory is main out paper. topic. mentioned in
topic of paper. other
Strongly state paragraphs.
yours and others
opinions.
Citation At least 3 At least 2 At least one No sources
sources. sources. source. mentioned.