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iRubric: Personal Essay Rubric

iRubric: Personal Essay Rubric

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Personal Essay Rubric 
Personal Essay Rubric
Rubric Code: U39BWW
By chowsir
Ready to use
Public Rubric
Subject: English  
Type: Writing  
Grade Levels: 9-12

Powered by iRubric Personal Essay Rubric
  Outstanding

5 pts

Satisfactory

4 pts

Progressing

3 pts

Emerging

2 pts

Needs Improvement

1 pts

Introduction

Opens with an interesting, engaging introduction
Outstanding

Introduction engages the reader in an original and clearly motivated way that leads the reader into the main idea.
Satisfactory

Introduction uses questions, statements, or anecdotes to allow the reader to see the main idea.
Progressing

Introduction lets us know what is the main idea or focus, but without engaging the reader.
Emerging

Introduction tells us what is the topic, but does not clearly lead the reader to the main idea.
Needs Improvement

Introduction does little to lead into the main idea.
Thesis/Focus

Personal message/ topic
Makes a point
Outstanding

The essay is interesting even memorable. The writer seems to have a deep insight about the topic. The writer is selective, including details that hold a reader's attention throughout the piece.
Satisfactory

The paper makes sense from beginning to end. It is clear-never confusing. The writer knows enough about the topic to do a thorough job. The paper contains many interesting details.
Progressing

The reader can identify the writer's main idea. The writer has some knowledge of the topic;more would enrich the paper.
Emerging

It is fairly easy to identify the main idea. Some details are unclear/do not seem to enhance the main idea.
Needs Improvement

The main idea is hard to determine. The paper lacks clarity. The writer does not appear to have a clear idea or know much about topic. The paper is simple.
Body Paragraphs

5 Paragraph Form:
Introduction
3 Body Paragraphs
Conclusion
Thesis Statement
Outstanding

The writer focuses on three main points. The pattern is suited to the topic, purpose, and audience.
Satisfactory

The writer seldom wanders from the main points. The pattern fits the topic, purpose, and audience.
Progressing

The writer may meander briefly, but not enough to distract/ confuse the reader. The pattern works most of the time.
Emerging

The writer wanders from the main point, confusing the reader. The pattern is not well suited to this topic, purpose, or audience.
Needs Improvement

Lack of order confuses the reader. The pattern is very distracting- or there is no pattern.
Sentence Fluency

Subj/Pred- Eliminate fragments and
pronouns
Transition Words
Outstanding

The writing is smooth, natural, and easy to read. Virtually every sentence begins differently; sentences vary in length.
Satisfactory

The writing is smooth and easy to read. Many sentences begin differently; variety in sentence length is noticeable.
Progressing

A few sentences are choppy. Some sentences begin differently; there is some variety in sentence length.
Emerging

The writing is sometimes easy to read. Choppy sentences, run-ons, or fragments necessitate some revising.
Needs Improvement

Choppy sentences, run-ons, or fragments make the writing difficult to follow. Many sentences begin the same way; most are of equal length.
Voice

The way the writer brings the topic to life.
Outstanding

This voice is as individual. The writing is passionate and compelling. The voice is perfect for the purpose and audience.
Satisfactory

This voice is individual-probably recognizable if the reader knows the writer. The writing shows strong feelings and is appealing to read.
Progressing

This voice is distinctive, if not unique. The voice is acceptable for the audience and purpose, but it could use refining.
Emerging

This is a functional, sincere voice, though not espcially distinctive. The piece does not seem ready to share aloud.
Needs Improvement

The voice is not at all distinctive. The voice does not seems appropriate for the pupose or audience.
Word Choice

Appropriate use of parts of speech
Expanded vocab
Outstanding

The writing is clear, striking, original, and precise. Figurative languge enhances meaning.
Satisfactory

The writing is clear and often original. The writer uses well balanced parts of speeck. Figurative language adds detail.
Progressing

The writing is clear in most cases. Some words or phrases are vague and confusing. The writer is inconsistent in use of parts of speech.
Emerging

The writing is often unclear, misleading, or vague, though the main idea comes through. Figurative language is minimal or else overused.
Needs Improvement

Many words and phrases are misused, vague, or unclear. Word use may be skimpy or cluttered; either way, meaning is hard to determine.
Grammar Conventions

Capitals
Endmarks
Commas
Outstanding

The essay is virtually error-free. The writer uses conventions skillfully to clarify meaning.
Satisfactory

The essay contains a few minor errors. This piece is ready to publish with minor changes.
Progressing

Several minor errors; these errors do not impair meaning.
Emerging

Noticeable, distracting errors begin to make the text hard to follow or understand.
Needs Improvement

Many serious errors make this essay hard to follow. Serious errors consistently impair readability.
Conclusion

Closure
Outstanding

Conclusion enlightens the reader to understand the rest of the essay. The closing statement or paragraph leaves us thinking of the topic.
Satisfactory

Conclusion not only sums up the main ideas, but echos some specific details in the intro and body.
Progressing

Conclusion sums up the main ideas of the essay.
Emerging

Conclusion either repeats word-for-word what has already been said.
Needs Improvement

Conclusion is off-topic or does not sum up the rest of the essay.




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