Skip to main content

iRubric: Compare/Contrast Essay rubric

find rubric

edit   print   share   Copy to my rubrics   Bookmark   test run   assess...   delete   Do more...
Compare/Contrast Essay 
Compare/Contrast Essay
Compare/Contrast essay with sources
Rubric Code: P9527X
By sarahsbruton
Ready to use
Public Rubric
Subject: English  
Type: Writing  
Grade Levels: Undergraduate

Powered by iRubric Criteria for Essay
  Poor

8 pts

Fair

10 pts

Good

11.5 pts

Excellent

14 pts

Introduction/Thesis Statement

Poor

The introduction lacks an attention grabber. There is no development of the subject leading into a thesis statement that is not complete or missing.
Fair

Introduction's attention grabber reflects the beginning of something engaging that needs more work. The significance of the topic may be minimal or even missing. Thesis statement lists subjects of comparison, but the points of comparison are not clear or may be missing.
Good

Introduction opens with an attention grabber that needs further development. A discussion on the significance of the topic is mentioned and perhaps is missing minor details. Thesis statement creates interest and is fairly well developed. But while they cover both subjects,
they are not very engaging.
Excellent

Very well-developed introduction and thesis statement that opens with an appropriate attention grabber and engages the reader and creates interest. Significance of the topic is mentioned leading to a well-developed thesis statement where both subjects and the points of comparison are revealed in.
Body Paragraphs

Poor

There are no apparent topic sentences for each paragraph. There is no incorporation of outside source material or analysis of outside material.
Details are either wrong or lacking. No vivid sense language is used. Or the details do not fit the author's point for the comparison/contrast.
Fair

At least one topic sentence is not clear nor does it relate to the thesis statement.
Supporting evidence from outside sources in the form of direct quotes or summary or paraphrases is cited inconsistently and analysis is lacking. There are details, but they are not clear, specific, and vivid, or both subjects are not given roughly the same amount of space.
Good

Each paragraph contains a topic sentence that relates to the thesis statement.
Details in the paragraphs are clear and specific, and there are enough details to create a adequate discussion on subjects. Supporting evidence from outside sources in the form of direct quotes or summary or paraphrases is cited correctly for the most part and analyzed appropriately to connect it to the points of comparison. Discussion reflects completion for the most part.
Excellent

Each paragraph contains a clearly focused topic sentence that relates to the thesis statement.
Details in the paragraphs are clear and specific, and there are enough details to create a solid discussion on subjects. Supporting evidence from outside sources in the form of direct quotes or summary or paraphrases is cited correctly and analyzed appropriately to connect it to the points of comparison. Discussions reflects a sense of completion.
Conclusion

Poor

There is no conclusion evident in the essay, or the conclusion is not related to the remainder of the essay.
Fair

The concluding paragraph makes a point about the subjects for comparison or contrast, but it does not unify or "wrap-up" the essay effectively.
Good

The concluding paragraph unifies the essay around the subjects and the points used for comparison or contrast, but it is not very engaging or interesting.
Excellent

The concluding paragraph effectively unifies the essay around the subjects and the points used for comparison or contrast. It contains an engaging and interesting point about the comparison or contrast of the subjects and shows readers why this matters.
Overall Organization

Poor

No discernible organization. Details are either missing or not in any discernible order.
Fair

The details are in a discernible order, but the author does not stick to one pattern in the essay, or the details do not adequately support the author's controlling point.
Good

The details are in a clear order and the author sticks to one pattern. Both subjects are given roughly the same space.
Excellent

The details are in a clear effective order and the author sticks to one pattern: subject-by-subject or point-by point. Both subjects are covered vividly and given about the same amount of space.
Style: sentence flow, tone, and

Poor

Writing is confusing and hard to follow. Contains fragments and/or run-on sentences. The tone and purpose is inconsistent and difficult to determine. Transitions are either missing or inappropriate.
Fair

Writing is clear, but sentences may lack variety. The tone is inconsistent and word choice, while adequate, could be better. While transitions are present they do not add to the overall effectiveness of the essay.
Good

Writing is clear and sentences have varied structure. There is consistent tone and word choice is appropriate with fairly good use of transitions to guide the reader.
Excellent

Writing is smooth, skillful, and coherent. Sentences are strong and expressive with varied structure. Consistent and appropriate tone and word choice is used throughout the essay. Transitions are appropriate and add to the effectiveness of the essay.
Mechanics

Poor

Distracting and major errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization.
Fair

A few errors in punctuation, grammar, spelling, and capitalization that. while distracting, the meaning and intent of the essay can still be discerned.
Good

A few minor errors in punctuation, spelling, grammar, or capitalization, but they do not detract from the overall meaning and effectiveness of the essay.
Excellent

No errors in punctuation, spelling, grammar, or capitalization.
MLA format

Poor

More than 5 errors in formatting:Header and headings are correct. Spacing and margins are correct. In-text citations contain the correct information. Works cited page follows MLA standards
Fair

3-4 errors in formatting: Header and headings are correct. Spacing and margins are correct. In-text citations contain the correct information. Works cited page follows MLA standards
Good

1-2 errors in formatting:Header and headings are correct. Spacing and margins are correct. In-text citations contain the correct information. Works cited page follows MLA standards
Excellent

0 errors in formatting: Header and headings are correct. Spacing and margins are correct. In-text citations contain the correct information. Works cited page follows MLA standards



Keywords:
  • Compare/Contrast essay, rubric, writing components

Subjects:

Types:

Discuss this rubric




Do more with this rubric:
Preview

Preview

Preview this rubric.
Edit

Edit

Modify this rubric.
Copy

Copy

Make a copy of this rubric and begin editing the copy.

Print

Print

Show a printable version of this rubric.
Categorize

Categorize

Add this rubric to multiple categories.
Bookmark

Bookmark

Bookmark this rubric for future reference.
Assess
Test run

Test run

Test this rubric or perform an ad-hoc assessment.
Grade

Grade

Build a gradebook to assess students.
Collaborate

Collaborate

Apply this rubric to any object and invite others to assess.
Share
Publish

Publish

Link, embed, and showcase your rubrics on your website.
Email

Email

Email this rubric to a friend.
Discuss

Discuss

Discuss this rubric with other members.
 

Do more with rubrics than ever imagined possible.

Only with iRubrictm.

n202