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Dr. Sigler Essay Grading Rubric

	NEEDS IMPROVEMENT	SATISFACTORY	ACCOMPLISHED	EXCELLENT
EFFECTIVENESS and CREATIVITY The force of language, imagery, argument.	Writing lacks impact Little consideration of assignment requirements * Narrow range of vocabulary * Little or no figurative language * Scripted or predictable writing	Clear writing Assignment requirements are considered * Predictable range of vocabulary * Moves from predictable writing to moments of insight * Some descriptive language	Writing sustains reader's interest Assignment requirements are met * Meaning often enhanced by vivid language * Often makes effective use of descriptive language	Writing is vivid and detailed Assignment requirements are exceeded * Impact strengthened by dynamic and vivid language * Insightful and vivid descriptive language
COHERENCE Skill or ingenuity in ideas and design.	Vague thesis and unclear indication of essay purpose Random organization * Abrupt transitions * Vague ideas	General or broad thesis and indication of essay purpose Apparent organization * Awkward transitions * Undeveloped ideas	Unified thesis and clear indication of essay purpose Focused organization * Smooth transitions * Some interesting ideas	Clear, insightful thesis and specific indication of essay's purpose Helpful organization * Seamless transitions * Memorable ideas
LOGIC Coherence of argument, logic of organization, originality and effectiveness of evidence and reasoning.	Argument is unfocused Includes few or no supporting examples and details from the texts * Little correlation between analysis and supporting examples * Conclusion is weak or missing	Thesis conveys opinion Supporting examples and quotes from the texts relate to thesis * Makes some connection between analysis and supporting examples * Conclusion may be abrupt or sketchy	Introduction establishes argument and thesis Effective supporting examples and quotes from texts frequently used to defend thesis and ideas * Analysis clarifies supporting examples and quotes * Conclusion reiterates thesis	Introduction vividly establishes argument and thesis Effective supporting examples and quotes from the texts are used to clarify and explain thesis and supporting ideas * Analysis amplifies supporting examples and quotes * Conclusion synthesizes argument
CLARITY Free of mechanical errors and confusion, easily understandable.	Vague communication Grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors seriously inhibit communication * Paragraphs lack focus * No clear relationship between introduction and conclusion * Quotations are not correctly integrated into the discussion or cited using MLA style	Clear communication Some distracting grammar, spelling and/or punctuation errors * Paragraphs contain more than one central idea * Introduction relates to conclusion * Quotations are correct, but are not smoothly integrated.	Effective communication Occasional grammar, spelling or punctuation errors * Each paragraph clarifies one central idea * Development made from introduction to conclusion * Quotations are correctly used and cited	Clear, precise and persuasive communication Reader is not distracted by grammar, spelling or punctuation errors * Each paragraph develops and analyzes one key idea * Sustained development and coherence from introduction to conclusion * Quotations are correctly and smoothly used.

	NEEDS IMPROVEMENT	SATISFACTORY	ACCOMPLISHED	EXCELLENT
EFFECTIVENESS and CREATIVITY The force of language, imagery, argument.	Writing lacks impact Little consideration of assignment requirements * Narrow range of vocabulary * Little or no figurative language * Scripted or predictable writing	Clear writing Assignment requirements are considered * Predictable range of vocabulary * Moves from predictable writing to moments of insight * Some descriptive language	Writing sustains reader's interest Assignment requirements are met * Meaning often enhanced by vivid language * Often makes effective use of descriptive language	Writing is vivid and detailed Assignment requirements are exceeded * Impact strengthened by dynamic and vivid language * Insightful and vivid descriptive language
COHERENCE Skill or ingenuity in ideas and design.	Vague thesis and unclear indication of essay purpose Random organization * Abrupt transitions * Vague ideas	General or broad thesis and indication of essay purpose Apparent organization * Awkward transitions * Undeveloped ideas	Unified thesis and clear indication of essay purpose Focused organization * Smooth transitions * Some interesting ideas	Clear, insightful thesis and specific indication of essay's purpose Helpful organization * Seamless transitions * Memorable ideas
LOGIC Coherence of argument, logic of organization, originality and effectiveness of evidence and reasoning.	Argument is unfocused Includes few or no supporting examples and details from the texts * Little correlation between analysis and supporting examples * Conclusion is weak or missing	Thesis conveys opinion Supporting examples and quotes from the texts relate to thesis * Makes some connection between analysis and supporting examples * Conclusion may be abrupt or sketchy	Introduction establishes argument and thesis Effective supporting examples and quotes from texts frequently used to defend thesis and ideas * Analysis clarifies supporting examples and quotes * Conclusion reiterates thesis	Introduction vividly establishes argument and thesis Effective supporting examples and quotes from the texts are used to clarify and explain thesis and supporting ideas * Analysis amplifies supporting examples and quotes * Conclusion synthesizes argument
CLARITY Free of mechanical errors and confusion, easily understandable.	Vague communication Grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors seriously inhibit communication * Paragraphs lack focus * No clear relationship between introduction and conclusion * Quotations are not correctly integrated into the discussion or cited using MLA style	Clear communication Some distracting grammar, spelling and/or punctuation errors * Paragraphs contain more than one central idea * Introduction relates to conclusion * Quotations are correct, but are not smoothly integrated.	Effective communication Occasional grammar, spelling or punctuation errors * Each paragraph clarifies one central idea * Development made from introduction to conclusion * Quotations are correctly used and cited	Clear, precise and persuasive communication Reader is not distracted by grammar, spelling or punctuation errors * Each paragraph develops and analyzes one key idea * Sustained development and coherence from introduction to conclusion * Quotations are correctly and smoothly used.