The document provides a rubric for evaluating student essays. It rates essays in four categories: Excellent, Good, and Fair. For each category, it lists criteria such as the introduction, thesis, use of evidence, addressing counterarguments, and mechanics. An Excellent essay has a clear and engaging introduction, well-qualified thesis, thorough evidence and explanations, anticipation of other positions, and few errors. A Good essay meets most criteria but may have a less focused introduction, overgeneralized thesis, or lack thoroughness. A Fair essay could improve its introduction, thesis qualification, or use of evidence.

1. Writer’s
Name
Reader’s
Name
An
Appropriately
Presented
Subject
An
Interesting
and
Clearly
Stated
Interpretation
A
Plausible
Chain
of
Reasons
with
Convincing
Support
Anticipating
Objections
A
Conclusion
Mechanics
MLA
Formatting
E
X
C
E
L
L
E
N
T
à
The
introduction
not
only
provides
the
information
necessary
in
a
directed
summary,
but
also
hooks
the
reader
in
preparing
him
or
her
for
the
argument.
àAn
arguable
assertion
illuminates
the
story
for
readers
by
stimulating
an
interesting
conversation
about
the
text
à
The
writer
makes
her/his
position
(thesis)
clear,
appropriately
qualified
and
not
over
generalized
or
exaggerated.
à
The
plausible
reasons
for
the
writer’s
position
show
insight
into
the
issue.
à
One
or
more
of
the
following
supports
all
of
the
writer’s
points:
quotes,
summary,
paraphrase,
or
authority.
à
All
of
the
writer’s
points
are
thoroughly
explained.
à
All
of
the
writer’s
points
use
well-­‐chosen
textual
support.
à
All
paragraphs
have
strong
topic
sentences
and
are
well
organized.
àThe
writer
successfully
anticipates
other
positions
on
the
issue.
à
The
writer
successfully
addresses
objections
and
questions
readers
might
have
about
the
issue.
à
The
essay
transitions
successfully
between
argument
and
counterargument
and/or
accommodating
or
refuting
opposing
positions
and
objections.
àThe
writer
successfully
uses
a
concluding
strategy
that
we
learned
in
class
or
another
equally
appropriate
conclusion.
à
The
writer
successfully
brings
the
essay
to
a
close.
à
Technical
mistakes
are
rare,
and
they
are
not
distracting
àThe
paper
meets
all
of
the
criteria
of
the
assignment.
All
references
to
sources
are
accompanied
by
in-­‐
text
citations.
Quotations
are
integrated
appropriately.
The
paper
contains
an
accurate
Works
Cited
page
that
is
formatted
perfectly.
Essay
formatting
is
perfect.
G
O
O
D
à
The
introduction
is
focused
on
the
text(s)
and
prepares
readers
for
the
argument.
The
introduction
provides
enough
background
information
for
the
reader
to
follow
the
argument.
àAn
arguable
assertion
is
present.
à
The
writer’s
position
is
clear
but
not
appropriately
qualified
for
readers.
à
The
writer’s
position
is
clear,
but
qualifications
or
argument
may
be
over
generalized
or
exaggerated.
à
The
plausible
reasons
for
the
writer’s
position
show
insight
into
the
issue.
à
One
or
more
of
the
following
supports
most
of
the
writer’s
points:
quotes,
summary,
paraphrase,
or
authority.
à
Some
points
of
the
issue
may
lack
thoroughness
of
explanation.
à
Nearly
all
of
the
points
use
well-­‐chosen
textual
support.
àMost
paragraphs
have
strong
topic
sentences
and
are
well
organized.
à
The
writer
successfully
anticipates
other
positions
on
the
issue.
à
The
writer
attempts
to
address
objections
and
questions
readers
might
have
about
the
issue.
àThe
essay
is
predominantly
successful
in
transitioning
between
argument
and
counterargument
and/or
accommodating
or
refuting
opposing
positions
and
objections.
àThe
essay
is
well
argued
and
devoid
of
logical
fallacies.
à
The
writer
successfully
uses
a
concluding
strategy
that
we
learned
in
class
or
another
equally
appropriate
conclusion.
à
The
writer
successfully
brings
the
essay
to
a
close.
à
A
few
technical
mistakes
are
made,
but
they
are
not
distracting.
à
The
paper
meets
most
of
the
criteria
of
the
assignment.
All
references
to
sources
have
in-­‐
text
citations.
Most
quotations
are
integrated
appropriately.
An
accurate
Works
Cited
page
is
present,
but
may
be
incorrectly
formatted.
A
few
mistakes
may
occur
in
essay
formatting.

2. Writer’s
Name
Reader’s
Name
F
A
I
R
à
The
introduction
may
lack
either
the
focus
or
the
preparation
required
for
readers
to
fully
understand
the
text(s).
àAn
arguable
assertion
is
present.
à
The
writer’s
position
is
somewhat
clear,
but
not
appropriately
qualified
for
readers.
à
The
writer’s
position
is
clear,
but
qualifications
or
argument
may
be
over
generalized
or
exaggerated.
à
The
plausible
reasons
for
the
writer’s
position
are
present
but
do
not
show
insight
into
the
issue.
à
The
writer’s
points
are
inconsistently
supported
by
quotes,
summary,
paraphrase,
or
authority.
à
Some
points
of
the
issue
may
lack
thoroughness
of
explanation.
àMost
paragraphs
have
strong
topic
sentences
and
are
well
organized.
à
The
writer
anticipates
other
positions
on
the
issue.
à
The
writer
attempts
to
address
objections
and
questions
readers
might
have
about
the
issue.
àThe
essay
is
somewhat
successful
in
transitioning
between
argument
and
counterargument
and/or
accommodating
or
refuting
opposing
positions
and
objections.
àThe
writer
revisits
the
thesis
in
the
conclusion,
but
does
not
suggest
the
importance
or
larger
implication
of
the
interpretation.
à
The
writer
successfully
brings
the
essay
to
a
close.
à
Mistakes
stand
out
in
more
than
one
of
the
following
areas:
grammar,
punctuation,
spelling,
or
syntax.
àThe
paper
fails
to
meet
the
criteria
of
the
assignment.
In-­‐text
citations
are
present,
but
are
insufficient.
Some
quotations
are
integrated
appropriately
The
Works
Cited
page
is
accurate
but
may
be
incorrectly
formatted.
A
few
mistakes
occur
in
essay
formatting.
P
O
O
R
àThe
introduction
may
have
problems
with
both
the
focus
and
the
preparation
required
for
readers.
àAn
arguable
assertion
is
present
but
ambiguous.
àThe
writer’s
position
is
unclear
and
qualifications
and/or
argument
are
too
summary-­‐like.
à
The
plausible
reasons
for
the
writer’s
position
are
present
but
do
not
show
insight
into
the
issue.
à
Most
points
of
the
issue
may
lack
thoroughness
of
explanation.
à
Few
of
the
points
use
well-­‐
chosen
textual
support.
à
The
reader
is
not
cued
with
topic
sentences,
controlling
ideas,
or
transitions.
à
The
paper
does
not
anticipate
other
positions
on
the
issue.
àThe
essay
is
unsuccessful
in
transitioning
between
argument
and
counterargument
and/or
accommodating
or
refuting
opposing
positions
and
objections.
à
The
writer
adds
random
information
in
the
conclusion
in
an
effort
to
bring
the
essay
to
a
close.
à
Mistakes
are
so
distracting
that
it
is
difficult
to
read
the
paper.
àThe
paper
fails
to
meet
the
criteria
of
the
assignment.
Few
in-­‐text
citations.
Quotations
are
not
integrated
appropriately.
The
Works
Cited
page
is
missing
or
incomplete,
OR
the
formatting
is
problematic.
F
A
I
L
à
The
introduction
fails
to
introduce
the
text.
à
The
essay
does
not
contain
an
introduction
to
the
issue.
àAn
arguable
assertion
is
not
present.
àThe
writer’s
position
is
unclear
and
qualifications
and/or
argument
are
not
present.
à
The
plausible
reasons
for
the
writer’s
position
are
not
present
à
Most
points
of
the
issue
may
lack
thoroughness
of
explanation.
à
Few
of
the
points
use
well-­‐
chosen
textual
support.
à
The
reader
is
not
cued
with
topic
sentences,
controlling
ideas,
or
transitions.
à
The
writer
does
not
anticipate
other
positions
on
the
issue.
à
No
logical
plan
is
apparent.
The
conclusion
is
undeveloped
or
missing.
à
Mistakes
are
so
distracting
that
it
is
difficult
to
read
the
paper.
à
The
essay
is
unreadable.
à
The
paper
does
not
meet
the
criteria
for
the
assignment.
No
in-­‐text
citations.
The
Works
Cited
page
is
missing
or
incomplete,
OR
the
formatting
is
problematic.
The
essay
is
not
submitted
or
not
typed.