Rubric (Criteria) for Essay

Expository or Compare/Contrast Essay

A Above the Standard

• The essay clearly develops an interpretation/analysis
• The essay has a clear thesis statement.
• The essay justifies interpretations through the use of examples and evidence from the text. 3 or more quotations
• The paragraphs follow the appropriate chunk paragraph format (Jane Schaffer)- using the essay outline & opening/closing paragraph
• The essay uses appropriate grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. Avoids use of “I”...try instead “the reader”, active verbs
  present tense when talking about the story

B Meets the Standard

• The essay mostly develops an interpretation/analysis of the story.
• The essay has a thesis statement.
• The essay attempts to justify interpretations through the use of examples and evidence from the text. 2 quotations
• The paragraphs attempt to follow the appropriate chunk paragraph format (Jane Schaffer)-using the essay outline & opening/closing paragraph
• The essay mostly uses appropriate grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.

C Approaching the Standard

• The essay vaguely develops an interpretation/analysis of the story.
• The essay- vague idea of a thesis statement.
• The essay only uses one example or evidence from the text. 1 quotation
• The paragraphs does not follow the appropriate chunk paragraph format (Jane Schaffer)
• The essay sometimes uses appropriate grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.

D Below the Standard

• The essay does not develop an interpretation/analysis of the story.
• The essay does not have a thesis statement.
• The essay does not justify interpretations through the use of examples and evidence from the text. No quotations
• The paragraphs do not follow the appropriate chunk paragraph format (Jane Schaffer)
• The essay does not use appropriate grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.