iRubric: Analytical Essay rubric

Each paragraph contains a clearly focused topic sentence that relates to the thesis statement.<BR>
Details in the paragraphs are clear and specific, and there are enough focused textual examples to fully support and defend the paper's main argument. There isn't any anecdotal evidence.

Each paragraph contains a topic sentence that relates to the thesis statement.<BR>
Details are clear and specific, but do not fully defend the paper's main argument and need to be fleshed out a bit more fully.

At least one topic sentence is not clear nor does it relate to the thesis statement.<BR>
There are details, but they are not clear, specific, and thorough enough to defend the main argument.

There are no apparent topic sentences for each paragraph.<BR>
Details are either wrong or lacking. Anecdotal evidence might be used instead of textual support.

The details are in a clear effective order and the author groups like ideas together and sticks to whatever structure is established in the intro (point-by-point or text-by-text). Arguments are covered thoroughly and given about the same amount of space.

The details are in a clear order and the author sticks to a set pattern. Arguments are given roughly the same space.

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.

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