Language Arts

Personal Essay Rubric

2014 Doss
4.0

ORGANIZATION
The thesis statement is
exceptional. It reveals
topic, opinion, and
support.
Logical organization
moves the reader from
one point to the next.
Transition words connect
paragraphs and ideas.
Conclusion restates the
thesis in a creative way,
restates the quote and
leaves the reader thinking
about the essays topic

WRITTEN EXPRESSION
A relevant quote is used as
evidence to support the
opinion.
Incorporates a variety of
sentence structures
(beginning, type, and
length)
Uses language that is
precise and engaging with
an awareness of audience
and purpose
Examples and stories are
embedded within the essay
and flow smoothly with the
thesis.

USAGE/MECHANICS

Consistently uses complete

and correct sentence
formations (avoids run-ons
and fragments)

Capitalization is consistently
correct

Punctuation is consistently
correct

Spells frequently used and

common words correctly

WRITTEN EXPRESSION
A quote is sometimes used
as evidence to support the
opinion
Some sentence variety is
present (beginning, type,
and length)
Uses language that is
precise with an awareness
of audience and purpose
Examples are used to
explain the relevance of the
quote

USAGE/MECHANICS

Uses complete and correct

sentence formations (avoids
run-ons and fragments) most
of the time

Capitalization is mostly
correct

Punctuation is mostly correct

Misspells some frequently

used and common words

WRITTEN EXPRESSION
An attempt has been made
to use a quote
Very little sentence variety
is present (beginning, type,
and length)
Uses language that is basic
Examples are sometimes
attempted

USAGE/MECHANICS

Inconsistently uses complete

and correct sentence
formations (avoids run-ons
and fragments)

Capitalization is inconsistent

Punctuation is inconsistent

Misspells frequently used

and common words

3.5

3.0

ORGANIZATION
The thesis is
satisfactory. It states
the topic, opinion, and a
reason.
Organization moves the
reader from one point to
the next with some
digressions.
Transitions are used but
do not help the flow of
the essay
Conclusion simply
restates the thesis.

2.5

2.0

ORGANIZATION
The thesis is basic. It
states the topic and
opinion.
Organization attempts to
move the reader from
one point to the next with
several digressions.
Transitions are not used
An attempt has been
made to conclude the
essay

Language Arts

Personal Essay Rubric

2014 Doss