Rubric for the Assessment of the OPINION-Essay SCORE

6-5 4 3-2 1-0

Well-developed introductory Introductory paragraph contains Introduction does not Thesis and/or problem is
paragraph: some background information, a clearly state the thesis very unclear.
INTRODUCTION • Contains overview of the technique for creating interest, OR/AND Writer does not attempt to
topic and states the problem, but does Does not adequately explain create interest.
• Clear explanation or not explain using details. the background of the issue or/ Background details are a
Thesis definition of the issue, Thesis is present in introductory and the problem is not stated. seemingly random collection
Statement • Creates interest paragraph with opinion. of information, unclear, or ____
OPINION STATED • A well-formed thesis not related to the topic.
• Your opinion which you will
support.

• Three or more main points Three or more main points are Three or more main points, but all Fewer than three main points,
MAIN POINTS are well developed with present but may lack detail and lack development. with poor development of ideas.
Body supporting details. development in one or two. There are one or two examples that
are not sound, logical argument. Obvious lack of sound, logical ____
Paragraphs • It is obvious that a plan was Overall, the paper is logically Paper itself is repetitious, argument throughout.
developed to create sound, developed. contradictory, or shows lack of There many examples of poor
Refutation logical development. Some more planning needed. organizational planning. organizational planning.

• Conclusion summarizes the Conclusion summarizes main Conclusion summarizes main Conclusion does not
main topics without topics. topics,but is repetitive. adequately summarize the
repeating previous Some suggestions for change No suggestions for change main points.
sentences; are evident. and/or commentary are No commentary or
CONCLUSION • Writer's commentary and included. suggestions for change are
____
suggestions for change included.
with process are logical
and well thought out.

Some articles/sources are not Most articles/sources are not Lacks several articles
accurately documented (Form H), accurately documented (Form and/or sources are not
• ALL ARTICLES are smoothly accurately documented.
ARTICLES are not relevant, not authoritative H), are not relevant, not
integrated into the paper Overall articles are not useful
Sources USED and are given credit in references or primary source authoritative references or to the paper and/or
and credited in the paper. quotations. primary source quotations. supporting the topic. ____
paper. • Sources are authoritative Some not used IN PAPER NOT POLITICAL SOURCE
Most not used IN PAPER
references or primary source and/or NOT given credit IN and/or NOT given credit IN WITH RELIABILITY.
quotations.
PAPER. PAPER. NOT given proper
credit IN PAPER.

• Sentence structure is Work contains some sentence Work contains multiple

correct, and sentences are Sentence structure is generally correct. errors and grammatical errors. incorrect sentence
MECHANICS AND Some awkward sentences do
varied (beginnings, lengths, There are three or four structures (more than 3).
STYLE structures).
appear. Sentences show some
errors in punctuation, There are more than 4 errors
variety, with an occasional (1 or 2)
Sentence Structure • Diction is at a senior high spelling, capitalization, in punctuation, spelling,
repetition of sentence beginnings or
Punctuation school level. a number of consecutive sentences of and/or other mechanics. capitalization, and/or other
Capitalization • Punctuation, spelling and the same length or type. Some Many consecutive sentences mechanics. Diction is
____
Spelling capitalization are correct. unsophisticated or poor/incorrect word begin with the same words, are elementary and often writing
Diction • No mechanical errors. choices. There are one or two of the same length or the same is awkward due to many
Sentence • Proofreading is evident.
errors in punctuation,
sentence construction. Diction examples of poor/incorrect
Variety spelling, capitalization and/or other
mechanics. is very elementary and lacks word choice.
flair.

Form completed ____/10 + PRO/CON list ______/ 10 + PAPER _____/ 30 TOTAL ___/50 (x2)
(10 Articles/sourced APA or MLA) (FULL PAGE with LISTS – BOTH SIDES) (Rubric above)