Senior Homework Essay Rubric
Categories
Thesis/Claim
Turnitin.com
The thesis/central claim is
not present.
The thesis/central claim is
unclear.
The thesis/central claim
states an obvious point and
lacks critical or higher
level thinking.
0 points
The essay fails respond to
the EQ/prompt and shows
a misunderstanding of the
EQ/prompt, failing to
address many parts of the
EQ/prompt.
2 points
The essay inadequately
responds to the
EQ/prompt, shows
inadequate understanding
of the EQ/prompt, and fails
to address all parts of the
EQ/prompt.
6 points
Essay shows an unfocused
or repetitive understanding
of text. Primarily
summary, the essay shows
a lack of specific,
persuasive evidence for the
support and lacks critical
thinking through the
details and data.
10 points
Essay provides a less than
adequate analysis, using
unfocused or repetitive
analysis/explanation of
support. Essay lacks
critical thinking in the
explanation and is mostly
plot summary with little
analysis.
10 points
Purpose
Addressing Prompt
Answering the
Essential Question
15 points
Development
Support
Evidence
25 points
Analysis
Critical Thinking
Explanation
25 points
Organization
5 points
Jestice/English 4
5 points
Essay lacks full
organization of ideas, or
student’s answer is so
brief, the grader cannot
make a full assessment.
10 points
Essay uses unfocused,
weak, or repetitive
organization—illogical
sequencing. Student uses
weak transitions.
5 points
The essay responds
vaguely to most parts of
the EQ/prompt and shows
some understanding of the
EQ/prompt, addressing
most of the parts of the
EQ/prompt.
9 points
Essay shows little specific
support from the text.
Some critical thinking is
evident through strong data
and details. The essay
shows average
development, using
general support of ideas
and may use summary.
15 points
The paper is not a full
analysis, often with vague,
superficial, or limited
answers which reflect a
simplistic approach and
flawed interpretation. The
analysis, more general than
specific, offers some
critical thinking evident
through explanation but
goes in and out of analysis.
15 points
Essay uses a mechanical
formula as a vehicle for
limited thinking—basic,
yet clear, structure. Simple
organization evident.
0-1 points
2 points
3 points
3 points
The student’s development
of ideas could not be
identified. Student relies
heavily on paraphrase or
summary. No textual
evidence is used for
support.
5 points
Essay relies heavily on
paraphrase/summary of the
plot. The text has been
misinterpreted to fit the
student’s agenda. Essay
fails to fully respond or
explain.
The thesis asserts a
specific argument/central
claim beyond the obvious
and reflects some critical
or higher level thinking.
8 points
The essay generally
responds to the EQ/prompt
and demonstrates a clear
understanding of the
EQ/prompt, addressing all
parts of the EQ/prompt.
12 points
Essay is supported by
appropriate, specific
references to text but may
be insufficient. Critical
thinking is evident through
strong data and details
from text. Writer expresses
ideas clearly but lacks total
maturity and control.
20 points
Critical thinking is evident
through explanation. The
student’s analysis may
contain some minor flaws
in interpretation and not
fully apply knowledge of
literary techniques to a
valid understanding of
content. The explanation
of support is mostly
complete and clear.
20 points
Essay mostly shows
organizational control:
transitions and idea
progression. The structure
supports the essay’s
analysis and purpose.
4 points
The thesis/central claim
asserts a specific argument
that reflects higher level
thinking.
10 points
The essay thoroughly
responds to the EQ/prompt
and demonstrates a clear
understanding of the
EQ/prompt, addressing all
parts of the EQ/prompt.
15 points
Essay is supported by
appropriate, specific
references to the text.
Critical thinking is evident
through strong data and
details. The writer
expresses ideas clearly and
skillfully.
25 points
Critical thinking is evident
through explanation. The
student’s analysis is
specific, contains depth,
and applies knowledge of
literary techniques for a
valid interpretation of
content. The writer reveals
the impressive ability to
reason with perception.
25 points
Essay shows consistent
organizational control:
mature transitions and idea
progression. The structure
supports the essay’s
analysis and purpose.
5 points
Senior Homework Essay Rubric
Word Choice
Voice
Tone
10 points
Conventions
Mechanics
10 points
Turnitin.com score
(In-class essay score)
Turnitin.com
Essay shows complete lack
of control over diction and
syntax; voice, diction, and
tone are inappropriate and
unclear.
Essay shows little control
over diction and syntax;
voice, diction, and tone are
inappropriate,
demonstrating limited
thinking. The essay has no
stylistic maturity.
Essay shows
adequate/formulaic control
over diction and syntax;
voice, diction, and tone are
somewhat appropriate.
The essay shows little
stylistic maturity.
Essay shows sporadic
control over diction and
syntax; voice, diction, and
tone are appropriate. The
essay attempts some
stylistic maturity.
0 points
So many errors in grammar
usage and mechanics that
the essay is difficult to
read. NO MLA/APA
formatting is evident.
2 points
Frequent errors in
grammar usage and
mechanics: punctuation,
verb tense, pronoun usage,
spelling, agreement, and
MLA/APA format.
5 points
Some errors in grammar
usage and mechanics:
punctuation, verb tense,
pronoun usage, spelling,
agreement. Minor
MLA/APA format errors.
0 points
2 points
5 points
8 points
Few errors in grammar
usage and mechanics:
punctuation, verb tense,
pronoun usage, spelling,
and agreement. Follows
appropriate MLA/APA
formatting.
8 points
Essay shows consistent
control over diction and
syntax; voice, diction, and
tone are appropriate-memorable and
sophisticated. Essay
demonstrates stylistic
maturity.
10 points
Minimal errors in grammar
usage and mechanics:
punctuation, verb tense,
pronoun usage, spelling,
and agreement. Follows
appropriate MLA/APA
formatting.
10 points
1
(1)
2
(2-3)
3
(4-5)
4
(6-7)
5
(8-9)
/100
Comments:
Jestice/English 4