ESSAY WRITING RUBRICS

Description: This rubric will help you know exactly what I am expecting to find in an essay.

5 4 3 2 1
EXCELLENT VERY GOOD AVERAGE NEEDS UNACCEPTABLE
IMPROVEMENT
This paper is This paper is The writer is Topic is not As yet, the
clear and mostly focused, beginning to well-defined paper has no
focused. It and has some define the and/or there clear sense of
holds the good details topic, even are too many purpose or
reader’s and quotes. though topics. central theme.
Ideas attention. development is To extract
Relevant details still basic or meaning from
and quotes general. the text, the
enrich the reader must
central theme. make
inferences
based on
sketchy or
missing details.
The Paper (and The Sentences The writing
organization paragraphs) are organizational within lacks a clear
enhances and mostly structure is paragraphs sense of
showcases the organized, in strong enough make sense, direction. Ideas,
Organization central idea or order, and to move the but the order of details, or
theme. The makes sense to reader through paragraphs events seem
order, structure the reader. the text does not. strung together
of information without too in a loose or
is compelling much random
and moves the confusion. fashion; there is
reader through no identifiable
the text. internal
structure.
The writing has The writing The text hums The text seems The reader has
an essay flow, mostly flows, along with a choppy and is to practice
rhythm, and and usually steady beat, not easy to quite a bit in
cadence. invites oral but tends to be read orally. order to give
Sentence Sentences are reading. more this paper a fair
Fluency well built, with businesslike interpretive
strong and than musical, reader.
varied structure more
that invites mechanical
expressive oral than fluid.
reading.
The writer The write The writer The writer Errors in
demonstrates a understands shows seems to have spelling,
Conventions good grasp of good writing reasonable made little punctuation,
standard conventions control over a effort to use capitalization,
writing and usually limited range of conventions: usage, and
conventions uses them standard spelling, grammar
(e.g., spelling, correctly. Paper writing punctuation, and/or
punctuation, is easily read conventions. capitalization, paragraphing
capitalization, and errors are Conventions usage, repeatedly
grammar, rare; minor are sometimes grammar distract the
usage, touch-ups handled well and/or reader and
paragraphing) would get this and enhance paragraphing make the text
and uses peace ready to readability; at have multiple difficult to read.
conventions publish. other times, errors.
effectively to errors are
enhance distracting and
readability. impair
readability.
The form and The format has The writer’s The writer’s The reader
presentation of only a few message is message is only receives a
the text mistakes and is understandable understandable garbled
enhances the generally easy in this format. occasionally message due to
Presentation ability for the to read and and paper is problems
reader to pleasing to the messily written. relating to the
understand and eye, presentation of
connect with the text, and is
the message. It not typed.
is pleasing to
the eye.

Legends

1 Unacceptable
2 Needs Improvement
3 Average
4 Very Good
5 Excellent
SPEECH RUBRIC

Speaker’s name: __________________________________

Evaluator: ____________________________________________

CRITERIA RATING RATING RATING RATING SCORE

Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs
4 3 2 Improvement
1
- Gets attention Meets any three of Meets any two of Meets only one of
- Clearly the four criteria the four criteria the four criteria
Introduction identifies topic
- Establishes
credibility
- previews the
main points
Main points are Main points are Main points need Main points are
Body clear, well somewhat clear, clarity and support not clear and have
supported, and some support, and lack of sources and no support and no
sources are some documentation sources or
documented documentation documentation
Conclusion - Reviews main Reviews main Brings closure Does not bring
points points, brings closure; the
- Brings closure closure audience is left
- Memorable hanging
Eye Contact -Eye contact with Eye contact with Eye contact with Little or no eye
audience audience less than audience less than contact
virtually all the 80% of the time 75% of the time
time (except for
brief glances at
notes)
Use of Language Uses of language Use of language Use of language Use of language is
contributes to does not have causes potential inappropriate
effectiveness of negative impact, confusion, and/or,
the speech, and and vocalized vocalized
vocalized pauses(um uh er pauses(um uh er
pauses(um uh er etc.,) not etc.,) are
etc.,) not distracting distracting
distracting
Body Language Body language, Body language, Body language, Body language,
gestures, and gestures, and gestures, and gestures, and
facial expressions facial expressions facial expressions facial expressions
adds greatly to the compliment lack variety and are lacking
message message spontaneity inappropriate
Clarity Speaks clearly and Speaks clearly and Speaks clearly and Often mumbles or
distinctly all the distinctly all the distinctly all the cannot be
time with no time with no more time with no more understood with
mispronounced than one than two more than three
words mispronounced mispronounced mispronounced
word word words
Topic is specific, Topic is specific, Topic is clear, Topic lacks clarity No specific
follows appropriate and appropriate and and focus needs purpose
assignment adapted somewhat adapting to inappropriate for
adapted to adapted audience audience or
audience occasion
Visual Aids Visual aids well- Minor problems Significant No visual aids
chosen and with visual aids problems with
presented visual aids
Time Within allotted Within 10% of Within 20% of Not within 20% of
time allotted time allotted time allotted time