Concluding Essay Rubric

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Ideas

My writing addresses the prompt in detail, offering several examples to support my opinion.

Information is well-supported by many credible sources from different points of view.

I combine my own knowledge and experiences with information from outside sources to create fresh, new insights.

I anticipate questions and concerns that readers might have and address them thoroughly.

My writing addresses the prompt, and offers at least one example to support my opinion.

Information is supported by credible sources.

I synthesize information from outside sources and my own experiences.

I anticipate readers’ questions and answer them.

My writing attempts to address the prompt but is often unclear.

Information is sometimes supported by credible sources.

I attempt to synthesize information from outside sources and my own experiences, but my thinking is difficult to follow.

I attempt to answer readers’ possible questions.

My writing does not address the prompt.

Information is seldom supported by credible sources.
I do not attempt to synthesize information from outside sources or my own experiences.

No attempt is made to answer the readers’ possible questions.    

My introduction introduces my view and engages the interest and curiosity of the reader.

I use a variety of words, phrases, and structures to connect ideas so they flow in a logical order and build on each other naturally.

My writing flows at a pace appropriate for the audience and the topic, elaborating when appropriate.

A powerful conclusion leaves the reader with important points to think about.

Paragraphing provides structure and enhances meaning for the reader.

My introduction introduces my view of the prompt in an interesting way.

I use transitions to connect ideas so they flow together.

The pace of my writing is appropriate.
My conclusion describes the important points of my writing in an interesting way.

My paragraphs facilitate understanding.

My introduction attempts to introduce my view of the prompt.

I attempt to connect ideas with transitions.
Some parts of my writing may be too detailed and others may be too sketchy.

My conclusion summarizes the important points of my writing.

My paragraphs sometimes detract from the meaning of my writing.

My writing does not include an introduction.

My ideas are not connected with transitions.

My writing is generally too detailed or too sketchy.

My writing does not include a conclusion.

Excessive paragraphing or the lack of paragraphing detracts from the meaning of my writing.

My writing connects with the reader by focusing on the prompt in an interesting and engaging way.

My writing speaks respectfully to the reader by providing compelling and credible reasons why my view is important to know.

My writing includes meaningful, personal details, if appropriate, to communicate my response to the prompt.

My writing connects with the reader by focusing on the prompt and discussing it in an interesting way.

My writing provides reasons why my view is important.

My writing includes relevant personal information.

I attempt to connect with the reader through my response to the prompt.

My writing provides some reasons why my view is important, but my reasons are not very convincing.

My writing includes personal information that is not always relevant.

My writing does not attempt to connect with the reader.

My writing provides no credible reasons to value my view.

My writing does not include any relevant personal information.

My language is precise, specific, and accurate. I use powerful and interesting words and phrases to create memorable pictures in the readers’ minds.

I select words carefully to engage the reader and enhance meaning.

I use technical terms sparingly, and when they are necessary to include, I define them in easy-to-understand language.

My language is specific and accurate.
I use powerful and interesting words.

I select words carefully.

My language is not always accurate, and lacks details.

I try to use powerful and interesting words.

I am sometimes careless about the words I choose.

I do not pay very much attention to the language that I use.

I do not take the time to think of interesting words.

I do not pay very much attention to words I use.

My sentences vary in length and structure to enhance meaning.

My sentence beginnings are varied and interesting.

My writing has rhythm and sounds effortless when read aloud.

I use sentence fragments appropriately to enhance interest and meaning.

My sentences are generally varied in length and structure.

My sentence beginnings vary.

My writing has rhythm.

The length and structure of my sentences vary at times.

I attempt to vary sentence beginnings, but some are repeated.

Spelling, punctuation, and capitalization are correct.

I use standard English throughout my writing.

I successfully manipulate conventions of spelling, punctuation, and standard English, when appropriate, to enhance meaning and style.

Spelling, punctuation, and capitalization are generally correct, and no errors detract from meaning.

Standard English is used throughout my writing.

Occasional errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization detract from meaning.
Some use of nonstandard English detracts from meaning.