Miami Regional University. Academic Writing. ESOL Level-6. Essay Writing Rubric.

Criteria

Points

Tittle

-The title is a complete sentence. -1

– The title doesn’t predict the content -2

– The title doesn’t grab the reader’s interest -2

5

Introduction

-The Hook is not a sentence that attracts the reader’s attention (-2)

-The Transition doesn’t explain the hook or connect it with the Thesis Statement (-3)

-The thesis statement is not the last sentence of the introduction. (-1)

-The thesis statement does not state the main idea (-3)

-The thesis statement doesn’t present three arguments OR more than 3. (-3)

-The thesis statement doesn’t present the arguments in a parallel construction (-2)

– The thesis presented or written in separate sentences -1

15

Paragraph-1

-The 1ST Paragraph’s topic sentence does not advance the first argument. (-5)

-The 1st paragraph doesn’t have two to three supporting sentences (-3)

-The 1st paragraph sentence variety is poor which makes writing sound telegram-like. -3

-The 1st paragraph has no concluding sentence that restates the topic sentence (-4)

15

Paragraph-2

-The 2nd paragraph’s topic sentence does not advance the second argument (-5)

-The 2nd paragraph doesn’t have two to three supporting sentences (-3)

-The 2nd paragraph sentence variety is poor which makes writing sound telegram-like. -3

-The 2nd paragraph has no concluding sentence that restates the topic sentence (-4)

15

Paragraph-3

-The 3rd paragraph’s topic sentence does not advance the third argument. (-5)

-The 3rd paragraph doesn’t have two to three supporting sentences (-3)

-The 3rd paragraph sentence variety is poor which makes writing sound telegram-like. -3

-The 3rd paragraph has no concluding sentence that restates the topic sentence (-4)

15

Concluding

Paragraph

The conclusion is not a brief restatement of the thesis statement and its 3 main points (10)

The conclusion has no final thought coming from the subject of the essay (5)

15

Grammar, Spelling & Punctuation

Fewer than 6,9,11 / More than 11 mistakes in grammar, syntax, mechanics, and punctuation with simple structures that render the reading too difficult and demand effort and willingness from the reader to make sense of what has been written.-5, -10, -15

15

TOTAL

100

Note: Academic dishonesty is never condoned by the University. This includes cheating and plagiarism, which violate the Student Conduct Code and could result in expulsion or failing the course. Only 18% of similarity with internet is accepted.

? In addition to possible deductions from the criteria given above, those students who write either 4 or 6 paragraphs will be penalized with 10% of the score after other deductions. Remember it is a 5-paragraph essay.

For those writing only 3 paragraphs, 20% will be deducted.

Five paragraphs have been written in a correct form, yet they were not written on the structural basis of the 5-paragraph essay explained in classes. The rubric is a very useful tool when writing the essay.