Rubric For Our Essays

Thinking

ideas are articulated well and structured to guide readers through the writer's thinking

uses effective introduction, interesting thesis, and a conclusion that goes beyond summary

uses ideas of others to enhance and further thinking in the text

uses critical thinking effectively by considering ideas from a variety of points of view

uses creative thinking to make ideas more powerful, interesting, and colorful

uses argumentative thinking and researched evidence persuasively

Research

shows intelligence, diligence, and creativity gathering sources

uses multiple sources that effectively advance the ideas, evidence, and color of your thinking

provides researched evidence and relevant insight in appropriate places

integrates source thinking effectively by introducing and analyzing effective sources

Presentation

uses writing critically and creatively to compose thinking that is interesting for other readers (including students and professors across the curriculum)

follows essay writing guidelines and uses the MLA system of documentation correctly

shows college level language ability with the mechanics of:

proofreading

sentence structure

paragraphing

correct punctuation of titles and correct spelling of names

plural/singular agreement

consistent tense and person

capitalization

punctuation & spelling

avoiding redundancy

avoiding vague language