ANALYTICAL ESSAY RUBRIC

Power Unit Assessment

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Thesis Statement
and
Introduction;
Conclusion

Examples, Evidence,
Content

Organization and
Structure

Writing Mechanics and

Style

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Thesis statement answers the Thesis statement answers the

question completely and
question completely and
clearly. Introduction presents clearly. Introduction gives
clear and complete summary of summary of evidence to be
evidence to be used in support used in support of thesis
of thesis statement.
statement. Organization of the
Organization of the introduction introduction may be somewhat
is logical. Conclusion extends weak. Conclusion re-states the
the argument and explains its thesis statement, but may not
significance.
extend or explain the
arguments significance.
Evidence in support of thesis is Evidence in support of thesis is
accurate, specific, relevant, and accurate, specific, relevant, and
sufficient. Essay clearly and
sufficient. Essay may not
effectively explains how
always clearly explain how
particular examples support
particular examples support
thesis statement.
thesis statement.

Thesis statement does not

Thesis statement does not
answer the question completely, answer the question and/or does
and/or is weak or confusing.
not make an argument.
Summary of evidence to be
Introduction does not give
used in support of thesis
summary of evidence to be
statement may be lacking.
used in support of thesis
Organization of introduction
statement. Conclusion fails to
may be weak. Conclusion may re-state the thesis, or is entirely
not clearly re-state the thesis
absent.
statement.

The essay is well-organized.

The essay is well organized.
The purpose of each paragraph The purpose of each paragraph
is clear, with strong topic
is clear, but there may be weak
sentences linked to the thesis. topic sentences. Some content
The content of each paragraph may be inconsistent or
is consistent and appropriate. irrelevant, and there may be
The paragraphs are logically
minor problems of logic and
sequenced.
paragraph sequence.
Language is clear and powerful, The essay contains only
there are no significant errors of occasional errors of spelling,
spelling, grammar, or usage.
grammar, and usage. The
The essay may show a
language is clear, but the
distinctive and elegant writing writing may not be especially
style.
powerful or elegant.

The essay is not especially well The essay is poorly organized.

organized. The purpose of
The purpose of some
some paragraphs is unclear, and paragraphs is unclear, and many
some have weak topic
have weak topic sentences.
sentences. Some content may Content is inconsistent and/or
be inconsistent or irrelevant,
irrelevant, and there are
and there may be problems of significant problems of logic
logic and paragraph sequence. and paragraph sequence.
The essay suffers from errors of The essay suffers from
spelling, grammar, and/or
significant errors of spelling,
usage. The language is
grammar, and usage. The
occasionally unclear.
language is unclear, and poor
writing makes it difficult to
ascertain the authors meaning.

Evidence in support of thesis is Evidence in support of thesis is

not entirely accurate, or may be inaccurate, insufficient, or
insufficient or irrelevant.
irrelevant.
Explanations of how examples
support thesis may be weak or
absent.