iRubric: BEOWULF ESSAY rubric

Well-developed introduction engages the reader and creates interest. Contains detailed background information.

Thesis statement has a strong focus. The writer's connection to the character/event is clear.

The introduction includes only some of the required elements, and/or the thesis statement is not fully developed.

Either several of the required elements are not included, or the thesis statement is weak.

Paragraph begins with a reworded version of the paper’s thesis statement, which identifies the major topics/ideas discussed throughout the paper.


The conclusion effectively and smoothly summarizes the paper and “wraps-up” important ideas, without sounding repetitive or redundant.

The conclusion successfully avoids introducing any new information that wasn’t previously explained



The writer makes a brief connection to the entire essay; it needs to be clearer or
stronger

The writer makes no attempt to tie anything back to the introduction

The writer uses words that convey the inteded message in a precise, interesting, and natural way.

The words represent the exact idea

The language is functional, even if it lacks much energy. It is easy to figure out the writer's meaning on a general level.

The writer demonstrates a limited vocabulary or has not searched for words to convey specific meaning.