400words paper
houhandaxiang
Writing Rubric
Note: there is grading “wiggle room” between the three levels from excellent to poor. Obviously, a rubric cannot cover everything. Example: If you do well on thesis, writing, argument, but egregiously make essay disorganized, I have reason to mark you down.
Thesis and Development of
Position
(the position and direction)
20% of total
Organization
(the internal structure)
15% of total
Writing (includes tone, sentence
flow, word choice, phrasing, and
adherence to conventions of
grammar, punctuation, paragraph,
structure, etc.
25% of total
Argumentation (the support)
40% of total
19-20 Points
Position is clearly stated and
reflects deep exploration of
issue; thought in thesis is clear
and focused. No
trivialities/irrelevancies. Reader
knows where argument should
go from here.
14-15 Points
The organization is compelling and
moves reader through the text.
Details are correctly placed. A
natural flow from sentence to
sentence, paragraph to paragraph.
Good use of transitional language.
23-25 Points
The essay is lively, expressive,
engaging. Word choice is precise,
original, concise, and rich. Sentences
themselves flow nicely; phrasing
conventions enhance readability.
Errors in grammar, punctuation, or
paragraphing really don’t exist.
37-40 Points
Thoughts are clearly and powerfully
defined and/or stated.
Counterarguments are considered and
rebutted. Weak or unsound arguments
are not used. Rhetoric, if present, is
never substituted for argument.
15-18 Points
Position/issue is stated/treated
superficially; ideas tend to be
general, insubstantial, and
occasionally even trivial.
Reader is not entirely sure
where (specifically) the
argument will go.
11-13 Points
Reader may readily follow
essay/argument, but organization is
ineffective or possibly confusing.
Not really a natural flow,
confusing transitions.
18-22 Points
The writing is pleasant, acceptable,
and, for the most part, mechanically
correct, but it lacks punch (passive
voice, non-direct language, negative
form, etc). An occasional awkward
construction distracts the reader from
content.
29-36 Points
Thoughts are supported, but support is
incomplete or uncompelling.
Counterarguments may be considered,
but they are fallacious, and/or there is
no response. Rhetoric is sometimes
used in place of argument.
0-14 Points
No position on the issue; no
clear position on the issue.
Difficult for reader to fathom
what the writer wants to say or
accomplish in paper.
0-10 Points
Organization is haphazard and
disjointed. Ideas are strung
together helter-skelter.
0-17 Points
The writing is flat, lifeless, stiff,
turgid, and/or dull. Sentences are
choppy, incomplete, rambling, or
awkward. Errors in conventions are
common. Essay is difficult to
comprehend without rereading. Essay
resists being read aloud.
0-28 Points
Thoughts are weakly supported if at
all. Emotional appeals or fallacies
appear; questions are begged, rhetoric
frequently is used in place of
argument. Arguments, if any, are
irrelevant, weak, unsound, difficult to
comprehend or paraphrase, or leave
big gaps for the reader to try to fill in
by guesswork.