Writers Name _______________________________________ English III Period _____ Date

English III Literary Essay Rubric

STYLE

Position
Transitions
asRe
nceEvide
Conclusion Introduction &

Body Paragraphs

ORGANIZATION

IDEAS

4- Distinguished
Thesis establishes a
precise, knowledgeable,
sophisticated, and
arguable claim that
explains the relationship
between key concepts or
reasons.
Evidence includes precise
information (i.e. quotes,
statistics, data, etc.)
gathered
frominterprets
primary and
Analyzes and
evidence to demonstrate
A variety of sophisticated
transitional words,
phrases, and clauses
clarify the relationship
between ideas and details
and create cohesion.
Topic sentences logically
and cleverly advance
thesis; progression of ideas
demonstrates intentional
examination of position
rather than adherence to
formulaic structure.
Claims, evidence are
reasoning are logically
organized in body
paragraphs.
Concluding statements
Introduction engages
reader, acknowledges
texts title and author,
provides an angled
summary of the text,
explains the significance of
the context/topic, and ends
with a thesis statement.
Conclusion fully
summarizes the argument,
reconsiders the purpose of
the
essay,of
and
extends
A variety
refined

3- Proficient

2-Developing

Thesis makes a credible,

knowledgeable, and
arguable claim that
introduces key concepts or
reasons.

Thesis summarizes the topic

or provides a general frame
for discussion.

Thesis does not

adequately address the
topic.

Body paragraphs address

simple / basic supporting
ideas; topic sentences may
simply
repeat
the thesis.
Evidence
is too general.

Body paragraphs
address topics or ideas
unrelated to the thesis.

Topic sentences connect to

the thesis and establish a
focus for each body
paragraph.

Topic sentences are

missing or do not relate
to the thesis.

Body paragraphs develop

complex
ideas
Evidencesupporting
includes precise

information gathered from

text (i.e. quotes, statistics,
data,
etc.)and
gathered
from
Analyzes
interprets
evidence to demonstrate its
A variety of advanced
transitional words, phrases,
and clauses clarify the
relationship between ideas
and details and create
cohesion.
Topic sentences logically
prove thesis; progression of
ideas may be formulaic.
Claims, evidence are
reasoning are logically
organized in body
paragraphs.

1-Not Meeting

OR
Selected evidence provides
limited
support
for claims.
Interprets
evidence
to state
an obvious or simple
Predictable transitional
words, phrases, and clauses
and simple sentence
structures state relationship
between ideas and details.

Claims, evidence, and

reasoning are present in
each paragraph.

Concluding statements fully

summarize main ideas.

Concluding statements
partially summarize main
ideas.

Introduction engages
reader, acknowledges texts
title and author, provides a
concise summary of the
text, and ends with a thesis
statement.

Introduction acknowledges
texts title and author and
includes a thesis statement.
Conclusion partially
summarizes the argument.

Evidence provided is
inaccurate or does not
support claims.
Simply restates the claim
and/or evidence.
There are insufficient
transitional words,
phrases, and clauses.

Concluding statements
are missing or do not
focus on the original
claim.

Introduction includes a
thesis statement.
Conclusion is missing or
does not focus on the
argument.

Conclusion fully
summarizes the argument
and reiterates the purpose
of the essay.
7 pts

sentence structures
AND
Precise words and
meticulous use of content/
discipline-specific
language make writing
exceptionally clear,
concise, and cohesive.

A combination of simple and

complex sentence
structures
AND
Specific words and some
content/discipline-specific
language make writing
generally clear, concise, and
cohesive.

Formal academic tone

maintained throughout
essay.

Formal academic tone

maintained throughout
essay.

Repetitious use of sentence

structures
AND
A mix of specific and vague/
general words make writing
inconsistently clear and
concise.

pts
Uniformly6simple
sentence structures
AND
Vague/general and
inaccurate word choice
make writing unclear or
simplistic.

Formal academic style

generally maintained
throughout essay;
occasionally use of I or
you.

________________
TOTAL POINTS
Ideas ______ / 60
Grammar ______ / 25

______ %

Organization ______ / 30

______ %

Style _____ / 10

______ %

______ %

Grammar in Writing
Perfect!

Quick Review

Problem Area

Comma Usage
Writer includes absolutely NO
unnecessary commas and properly
punctuates all nonessentials and
dependent clauses.
5 pts
Subject-Verb Agreement
All subjects and verbs agree in
number and tense. Writer correctly
uses the perfect tense with have
and not of.
5 pts
Run-on Sentences (FANBOYS or
semicolon)
Writer includes absolutely NO run-on
sentences.
5 pts

Comma Usage
Writer includes one unnecessary
comma or improperly punctuates one
nonessential or dependent clause.
3 pts

Comma Usage
Writer includes two or more
unnecessary commas or improperly
punctuates two or more
nonessentials or dependent clauses.
2 pts
Subject-Verb Agreement
Writer includes two or more subjectverb disagreements and/or uses of
instead of have.
2 pts

Fragments
Writer includes absolutely NO
fragments.
5 pts
Redundancy/ Wordiness
Writer does not use any wordy
language or redundancies (e.g., It
was a big and large car).
5 pts

Subject-Verb Agreement
Writer includes one subject-verb
disagreement OR uses of instead of
have.
3 pts
Run-on Sentences (FANBOYS or
semicolon)
Writer includes one run-on; most
likely needs to apply FANBOYS or
semicolon rule.
3 pts
Fragments
Writer includes one fragment.
3 pts
Redundancy/ Wordiness
Writer includes one wordy phrase or
redundancy.

Run-on Sentences (FANBOYS or

semicolon)
Writer includes two or more run-ons;
most likely needs to apply FANBOYS
or semicolon rule.
2 pts
Fragments
Writer includes two or more
fragments.
3 pts
Redundancy/ Wordiness
Writer includes two or more wordy
phrases or redundancies.
2 pts

3 pts
Total ___________ / 25 pts

Take pride in your superb

grammar!

Rewrite the sentence(s) with

errors.

Rewrite the entire paragraph /

piece.