ESSAY 1 AND 2 GRADING RUBRIC

Essential requirements for grading: 1. The essay has been submitted to SafeAssign, 2. The essay addresses the writing prompt, and 3. The essay follows the assignment instructions (-5 points deduction for not submitting the Thesis/Outline assignment for feedback as stated in the instructions). Criteria Levels of Achievement Good/Excellent Fair/Competent Deficient Points Earned Development 39 to 45 points Major points are stated clearly and are well-supported. Content is persuasive and comprehensive. Content and purpose of the writing is clear. Thesis has a strong claim. The audience is clear and appropriate for the topic. Supportive information (if required) is strong and addresses writing focus. 31 to 38 points Major points are addressed, but clarity or support is limited. Content is somewhat persuasive or comprehensive. Content is inconsistent (lack of clear purpose and/or clarity). The thesis could be stronger. Supportive information (if required) needs strengthening or does not address writing concepts. 0 to 30 points Major points are unclear and/or insufficiently supported. The content is missing essentials. The content has unsatisfactory purpose, focus, and clarity. Supportive information (if required) is missing. Organization and Structure 39 to 45 points Writing is well-structured, clear, and easy-to-follow. Introduction compellingly forecasts the topic and thesis. Each paragraph is unified and has a clear central idea. Transitional wording is present throughout the writing. Conclusion is a logical end to the writing. 31 to 38 points Adequately organized with some areas difficult to follow. Introduction needs to provide a stronger gateway into the writing. Some paragraphs lack unity. Better transitions are needed to provide fluency of ideas. Conclusion is trite or barely serves its purpose. 0 to 30 points Organization and structure detract from the writer’s message. Introduction and/or conclusion are incomplete or missing. Paragraphs are not unified (more than 1 topic/missing or inadequate controlling and concluding sentences). Transitions are missing. Conclusion, if present, fails to serve its purpose. Criteria Good/Excellent Fair/Competent Deficient Points Earned Grammar and Diction 39 to 45 points The writing reflects grammatical, punctuation, and spelling standards. Language is accurate, appropriate, and effective. Writing’s tone is appropriate and highly effective. 31 to 38 points The writing contains some grammatical, punctuation, and/or spelling errors. Language is unclear, awkward, or inappropriate in parts. The writing’s tone is generally appropriate and moderately effective. 0 to 30 points The writing contains many grammatical, punctuation, and/or spelling errors. Language use is largely inaccurate or inappropriate. The writing’s tone is ineffective and/or inappropriate. Format: Current MLA/APA/ Turabian Paper Requirements 11 to 15 points Writing correctly follows formatting guidelines. Parenthetical and bibliographical source citations are used correctly and appropriately. 5 to 10 points Writing follows most formatting guidelines, but some flaws are detected. Parenthetical and bibliographical source citations are incorrectly formatted or used. 0 to 4 points Writing lacks many elements of correct formatting. Parenthetical and bibliographical source citations and/or references are not provided. Total