Essay Grading Rubric
- Each essay grade is worth a maximum 150 points.
- A = 135–150
- B = 120–134
- C = 105–119
- D = 90–104
- F+ = 75–89
- F = 0–74
(Two different “F” grades may seem silly, but points are points. For example, at the end of the term, fifty (50) points could be the difference between earning a “D” or “C” course grade. It is always better to submit something rather than nothing; it is better to earn eighty (80) or ninety (90) points rather than skip the essay and receive a zero.)
- An academic honesty policy violation overrides the grading rubric; an academic honesty violation will result in a one (1) point grade, and the student may be reported to the dean.
- Blank submissions will be awarded four (4) points.
- Blank submissions except for a statement like, “I did not have time to write the essay,” will earn twenty (20) points.
- Although it is highly unlikely, if there are issues in an assignment that, in the instructor’s opinion, do not fit neatly into a criterion below, the instructor may adjust the essay grade accordingly.
- The rubric is subject to change. (Last Update: August 13, 2017)
| Criteria I Points | 32 Points | 24 Points | 20 Points | 16 Points | 10 Points | 6 Point |
| I. The Basics
Relevance
Length
|
The essay addresses only the assigned topic, and
the essay meets the length requirement (1,000 words). |
The essay is slightly over the length limit (1,051-1,125 words). |
The essay is somewhat off topic, or
the essay is slightly under the length requirement (949-900 words). |
The essay is moderately over the length limit (1,126-1,250 words) or under the length requirement (899-750 words) or both. |
The essay is significantly over the length limit (1,251-1,375 words) or under the length requirement (749-500 words). |
The essay strays far off topic, or
the essay is extremely over the length limit (over 1,376 words) or under the length requirement (less than 500 words) or both. |
| Criteria II Points | 24 Points | 18 Points | 14 Points | 10 Points | 6 Points | 2 Point |
| II. General Formatting
Organization
Direct Quotes
Outside Sources
|
The essay has an introduction paragraph, two to three body paragraphs and a concluding paragraph, and the essay as a whole is organized, and each paragraph is organized and developed, and
the essay has no long quotes or block quotes and few direct quotes, and
the essay uses only the assigned sources. |
One of the required paragraphs is missing*, or there are some organization problems with the essay, or there are some organization or development issues within a paragraph.
*Did you look behind the couch? |
Two of the required paragraphs are missing, or there are moderate organization problems with the essay, or there are some organization or development issues within paragraphs, or
the essay has an extensive direct quote or block quote or
some combination of the above. |
Three of the required paragraphs are missing in the essay, or there are moderate organization problems, or there are moderate organization or development issues within paragraph(s), or
the essay uses an outside source or
some combination of the above. |
The essay has more than one extensive direct quote or block quote or relies too heavily on direct quotes, or
the essay uses more than one outside source or
some combination of the above. |
The essay is not divided into paragraphs, or there are significant organization problems with the essay. |
| Criteria III Points | 30 Points | 18 Points | 14 Points | 6 Points | ||
| III. Citations
|
All specific information (direct quotes and paraphrased information) from the readings are cited, and specific information is cited according to the class instructions. |
All specific information is cited but one or more of the citations is not formatted exactly according to the class instructions. |
Some specific information is not cited, or there are problems with formatting or lack of information in one or more citations or some combination of the above. |
Little specific information is cited, or there are no citations in the essay. | ||
| Criteria IV Points | 24 Points | 18 points | 14 Points | 10 Points | 6 Point |
| IV. Style
Personal Pronouns & Contractions
Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar
Professional Language
|
No pronouns or contractions are used, and
there are no spelling, punctuation or grammar issues, and
the essay uses an appropriate writing style for the discipline, and the essay uses current and professional language. |
A contraction is used, or
there is an error with spelling, punctuation or grammar or
some combination of the above. |
A pronoun is used, or
there are some problems with spelling, punctuation or grammar, or
the essay has minor problems with writing style, dated or unprofessional language or
some combination of the above. |
More than one contraction is used, or
the essay has significant issues with spelling, punctuation or grammar or
some combination of the above. |
More than one pronoun is used, or
the essay has moderate problems with formatting, writing style, dated or unprofessional language or some combination of the above. |
| Criteria V Points | 40 Points | 32 Points | 26 Points | 20 Points | 14 Points |
| V. Content
Critical Thinking, Analytical Skills and Objectivity
Supporting Information
Use of Assigned Sources
Writing Clarity
|
The essay demonstrates a high level of critical and analytical skills and objectivity and has logical arguments, and
detailed and accurate information is used to support the analysis, and
the essay uses the required number of assigned sources, and
the writing is clear and concise.
|
The essay demonstrates a strong level of critical and analytical skills and objectivity and has logical arguments, and
detailed and accurate information is used to support the analysis, but
there is room for improvement in one of these areas, or
there are one or more awkward sentences or there is repetitiveness in the essay or
some combination of the above. |
The essay demonstrates some level of critical and analytical skills and objectivity, has some logical arguments and there is room for improvement in one or more of these areas, or
more detailed information is needed, or some inaccurate information is used to support the analysis, or
the essay has limited use of assigned sources, or
there are several awkward sentences or there is significant repetitiveness in the essay or
some combination of the above. |
The essay needs work in the area of critical and analytical skills or objectivity or logical arguments, or
the essay has little detailed information or significant inaccurate information is used to support the analysis, or
the essay has very limited use of assigned sources or
some combination of the above. |
The essay has significant problems with critical thinking, analysis, objectivity or logic, or
the essay has no detailed information from the assigned readings or
some combination of the above. |