Essay Rubric

[Raymond Blair]

Okay, twelve years of grading history essays broken down into one sheet of paper. Any comments, suggestions?

This is for high school students (by the America system) who are 17 or 18 years old. It should work for college as well, at least it is the same way I tried grading essays at the college level.

Essay Grading Rubric

(?'s equal bullet points)

A+ 97-100

 excellent analysis in more than one section

 effective in all sections

 addresses entire scope of question

 uses a wealth of facts

 well-developed, well-organized thesis/argument

A 93-97

 well-developed, well-organized thesis/argument

 may contain minor errors

 excellent in at least one section

 addresses entire scope of question with effective analysis

 uses of a wealth of facts

A- 90-92

 addresses entire scope of question with effective analysis

 well-developed, well-organized thesis/argument

 may contain minor errors and omissions

 consistently uses a solid base of facts

B+ 87-89

 well-developed, well-organized thesis/argument

 addresses entire scope of question adequately with either very effective analysis or a wealth base of facts

 consistently uses a solid base of facts

B 83-86

 well-organized thesis/argument

 addresses entire scope of question with adequate analysis

 strong analysis or a wealth of facts

 consistently uses a solid base of facts

 may contain minor errors and omissions

B- 80-82

 adequate factual support and argument or very good at one

 addresses entire scope of question

 contains minor errors and omissions or one significant error or omission

 lacks an exceptional section

C+ 77-79

 one or more sections poorly addressed but addressed

 inconsistent factual support

 argument or analysis problems

 some effective analysis

 some well used facts

 may contain minor errors and omissions or one significant error or omission

C 73-76

 one or more sections poorly addressed

 inconsistent factual support

 inconsistent analysis

 may contain multiple errors and omissions

C- 70-72

 little evidence of analysis or inadequate factual support

 adequate coverage of one or more aspects of the essay

 contains multiple errors and/or omissions

 little demonstrated command of the subject

D 65-69

 contains major errors or omissions

 lacks thesis/argument or has a very poorly developed thesis/argument

 little demonstrated command of the subject

 does not address entire question

F <65

 lacks a thesis/argument

 little accurate factual support

 little demonstrated command of the subject

 contains major errors or omissions

Edited November 13, 2005 by Raymond Blair

[Mike Tribe]

I can't claim any credit for the following -- I copied it from the IB Online Curriculum Center. Obviously, it specifically addresses some of the requirements of the IB examinations (for example, the inclusion of historiographical issues) so I don't know how useful it would be for you if you don't teach this course.

http://occ.ibo.org/ibis/occ/userResources/...c%20Revised.doc

I couldn't work out how to attach the file, so I hope this link works!

[Raymond Blair]

Thanks, that is useful in terms fo breaking the categories into sections.

I was trying to de-jargon the rubric so my students wouldn't have their eyes roll over before making a serious attempt to understand the rubric.

I do not teach IB but some of my ideas were borrowed from the AP essay grading rubric.