The following rubric has been adopted for the English department for the grading of papers in the 2004-2005 school year and beyond.
Typically standards are set so that an "A" paper would rank somewhere between around a 4 on the rubric for Freshmen and Sophomore students. Upperclassmen are expected to produce quality papers between the 5 and 6 range to receive an "A." As this may be different teacher to teacher, please check with him or her before you turn in your paper.
Soon to be Included with this rubric are links to papers that received the corresponding grade they appear under. Included with these papers are written commentary by the teacher who graded the paper explaining why the grade was received, what needed work, and how to fix the errors. There is a printer-friendly version of this rubric at the bottom of this page for your convienence Print a copy and keep it in your English binder.
Essential Elements |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 | 5 | 6 |
| Sample papers | one |
two |
three |
four | five | six |
Development
|
Inappropriate response to thesis, or lacks thesis; no topic development |
Undeveloped or vague thesis, theme or topic |
Rudimentary development of thesis, theme or topic; limited in depth or clarity |
Good development of thesis, theme or topic; conclusion is more than a summary |
Fully developed thesis, theme, or topic; conclusion is more than a summary |
Fully developed, original, insightful thesis, theme or topic & conclusion |
Details |
Virtually no relevant details |
Few relevant details |
Details lack elaboration; important details omitted |
Details are adequate & relevant |
Details are specific & enhance development |
Rich supporting details |
Organization |
Lacks organization |
Unclear organizational strategy |
Organizational strategy includes transitions |
Logical progression of ideas |
Logical & controlled organization from beginning to end; non-formulaic |
Writer expresses relationships among ideas; careful & subtle organization |
Sentences |
Many fragments & run-ons |
Poor sentence structure |
Complete sentences; some sentence variety |
Sentence variety & patterns are appropriate for style & effect |
Sentence variety enhances style & effect |
Sentence variety enhances style & effect |
Word Choice |
Extremely limited vocabulary |
Limited Vocabulary |
Appropriate vocabulary |
Effective diction |
Varied, precise diction |
Sophisticated diction |
Grammar, Usage, Mechanics |
Errors in grammar, usage & mechanics interfere with communication |
Errors in grammar, usage, & mechanics are distracting |
Errors in grammar, usage & mechanics disproportionate to length & complexity of piece |
Some errors in grammar, usage & mechanics |
Few errors in grammar, usage & mechanics |
Mastery of grammar, usage & mechanics |
Purpose |
Lacks purpose |
Unclear purpose |
Limited expression of purpose |
Purpose is clearly expressed |
Purpose is clearly expressed |
Purpose is clearly expressed |
Download the Printer-friendly version - This document is availabe as a Microsoft Word (.doc) file