Scoring Rubric

Exceeds Expectations

Meets Expectations

Does Not Meet Expectations

Not Included

Ideas & Content

 Title emphasizes main idea

Title is present

 Title lacks originality

Relevant, engaging attention getter

Attn. getter is present

Attn. getter is not engaging and/or relevant

Clear, focused & relevant thesis statement contains topic, +/- impact & 3 perspectives to be addressed in the paper.

Thesis statement contains topic, +/- impact & 3 perspectives to be addressed in the paper.

Thesis statement is lacking topic and/or 3 perspectives to be addressed in the paper.

(Social, economic, psychological, geographical, political, cultural)

Topic sentence in 1^st body paragraph clearly identifies social science perspective to be discussed &  is related to the thesis  

Topic sentence in 1^st body paragraph contains social science perspective to be discussed; it is related to thesis

Topic sentence in 1^st body is vague and does not contain perspective to be discussed

1^st body paragraph contains at least 3 specific examples to support topic sentence& clearly  identifies the + or – impact of the topic

1^st body paragraph contains at least 2 specific examples to support topic sentence & clearly identifies the + or – impact of the topic

1^st body paragraph contains 1 example, which may not support topic sentence; examples used lack specificity 

(Social, economic, psychological, geographical, political, cultural)

Topic sentence in 2^nd  body paragraph clearly identifies social science perspective to be discussed &  is  related to the thesis  

Topic sentence in 2^nd body paragraph identifies social science perspective to be discussed; it is related to thesis

Topic sentence in 2^nd  body is vague and does not contain perspective to be discussed

2^nd  body paragraph contains at least 3 specific examples to support topic sentence& clearly  identifies the + or – impact of the topic

2^nd body paragraph contains at least 2 specific examples to support topic sentence &  identifies the + or – impact of the topic

2^nd body paragraph contains 1 example, which may not support topic sentence; examples used lack specificity 

(Social, economic, psychological, geographical, political, cultural)

Topic sentence in 3^rd   body paragraph clearly identifies social science perspective to be discussed &  is  related to the thesis  

Topic sentence in 3^rd body paragraph identifies social science perspective to be discussed; it is related to thesis

Topic sentence in 3^rd body is vague and does not contain perspective to be discussed

3^rd  body paragraph contains at least 3 specific examples to support topic sentence & clearly  identifies the + or – impact of the topic

3^rd body paragraph contains at least 2 specific examples to support topic sentence & identifies the + or – impact of the topic

3^rd body paragraph contains 1 example, which may not support topic sentence; examples used lack specificity . Body paragraph(s) do not  identify the + or – impact of the topic

Evidence is relevant, accurate, detailed,, and thoroughly explains who, what, how, why?

Evidence is relevant and accurate, attempts to explain who, what, how, why?

Explanations/evidence /commentary veers off topic or lack some relevance, explanations are not thorough

The significance/importance of examples is thoroughly explained in detail & connected to thesis

The significance/important of  examples is explained & connected to thesis

The significance and/or important of examples lacks detail and/or clarity

The paper is persuasive and  clearly  PROVES the thesis

The paper is persuasive and    PROVES thesis.

The paper does not PROVE the thesis.

2+ direct quotations are seamlessly introduced & explained  in the essay; all paraphrase(s) must be cited

internally

2 direct quotations are included in the essay, introduction or explanation may be problematic; all paraphrase(s) must be cited internally

Quotations are included, but may be poorly introduced and/or explanations are lacking in detail; paraphrase(s) are not cited internally

Conclusion transitions out of paper, includes reiteration of thesis statement, a  parting shot, & provides sense of closure

Conclusion is present; includes reiteration of thesis statement; contains 2 of 3 required elements

Conclusion lacking in reiteration of arguments, relevancy, thesis statement, parting shot and/or is off topic

Organization

Essay contains intro., multiple supporting paragraphs & conclusion

Essay contains intro., at least 1 supporting paragraph & a conclusion

Paper lacks intro., supporting paragraph and/or conclusion.

Order of information is deliberate and makes sense; Information from the thesis statement is addressed, in order. (Check the 1^st sentence of each paragraph.)

Order of information makes sense; Information from the thesis statement is addressed, in order. (Check the 1^st sentence of each paragraph.)

Information appears in random order and/or does not make sense.

Fluid and logical structure,  includes introduction, clearly focused topic sentences, supporting paragraphs, a conclusion, and  employs effective transitions within & between paragraphs

Structure is present, includes introduction, topic sentences, supporting paragraphs and a conclusion; Transitions exist

Little structure, makes rdg. difficult; may not include intro. topic sentences, or supporting paragraphs; Transitions are weak or are almost non-existent

Arguments are clearly linked back to the prompt

Arguments are linked back to the prompt

Arguments are not linked back to the prompt

.

Style

Formal diction & tone (no slang or clichés)

Formal diction & tone (no slang or clichés)

Informal diction & tone used, slang and/or clichés present

Sentences of variety & structure

Sentences lack some variety and/or structure

Generally, sentences of little variety & lacking in structure

Varied & engaging word choice, sophisticated vocabulary employed

Varied word choice employed, work on  vocabulary usage

Vocabulary use needs improvement

Avoids wordiness & repetition

Some wordiness and/or repetition present

Frequently wordy and/or redundant

( personal pronouns, got, etc.)

No “forbidden” words; no personal pronouns

Some “forbidden” words; no personal pronouns

“Forbidden” words and/or personal pronouns used

Grammar, Usage & Conventions

Author demonstrates excellent spelling usage, no errors in homonyms

Spelling is adequate; minor errors exist, but do not affect readability; may contain homonym errors

Proofreading is inadequate. Significant errors in spelling, which impede readability

Contains grammatically correct

sentences

There are some grammatical errors, but they do not impede readability

Proofreading is inadequate. Significant errors in grammar impede readability

Correct capitalization & punctuation employed

Proofreading has been employed; errors in capitalization & punctuation, exist, but do not impede readability

Proofreading is inadequate. Significant errors in capitalization & punctuation impede readability.

Active Verbs used, Tense stays consistent

Verb Tense stays consistent

Verb Tense is inconsistent

Prepositions are used correctly

Errors in usage of prepositions exist, but do not impede readability.

Proofreading is inadequate. There are significant errors in usage of prepositions.

MLA

3+  internal citations properly formatted; Quotes 4 lines or more are indented, double spaced & formatted properly

There are 3 internal citations properly formatted; quotes 4 lines or more are indented, double spaced & formatted properly

Fewer than 3 citations are present and/or contains errors in formatting; quotes 4 lines or more are not formatted properly

Works Cited page is arranged alphabetically and in correct

 format

Works Cited page is present but contains some errors

Works cited page may be incomplete and/or is not properly formatted, major errors exist

Plagiarism is clearly avoided. Excellent citations are provided.

Plagiarism is clearly avoided. Citations are provided.

Plagiarism has been committed. There is inadequate citing of sources.

Quotations are punctuated correctly.

Quotations are punctuated correctly.

Quotations are not set up punctuated correctly.

Formatting

Essay is word processed in 12 pt. font, double spaced,  with 1” margins

Essay is word processed, double spaced,   with 1” margins

Formatting incorrect

Cover page has name, date, teacher, class period?

Cover page has name, date, teacher, class period?

Cover page is missing 1: name, date, teacher, and/or period?