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Definition Essay Definition Essay Students will combine the three elements of affective arguments and identify their audience to write a definition essay. This essay is the first building block of the argument research paper due at the end of the term. A definition essay is writing that explains what a term or descriptive phrase connected with the students' chosen issue means. Rubric Code: V5WW85 By mmaurno Ready to use Public Rubric Subject: English Type: Writing Grade Levels: Undergraduate

Definition Essay Students are to write a four to six page essay defining a word or concept that is crucial to their chosen issue.
	Effective Achieves excellence in all stated objectives in each of the components of the Definition Essay. 5 pts	Adequate Satisfactorily meets all stated objectives in each component of the Definition Essay. 4 pts	Marginal Meets some but not all of the stated objectives for each component of the Definition Essay. 3 pts	Below Marginal Very few objectives, if any, of the objectives of the stated components are met in the Definition Essay 2 pts	Inadequate Objectives for the stated component of the Definition Essay are not met or not present. 1 pts
Introduction/Thesis	Effective Writes a captivating introduction that is pathos-driven and culminates in a thesis statement embodying the essence of the definition.	Adequate Introduction is present and makes an attempt at argumentative writing. Thesis is a start at developing the essence of the definition.	Marginal Introduction is present but it does not address argument principles. Thesis does not capture the essence of the definition.	Below Marginal Paper starts with little to no introduction and a very vague idea of what the thesis will be.	Inadequate Paper does not contain a thesis and/or introduction.
Organization	Effective Establishes a clear and logical organization to define the targeted concept.	Adequate Uses an identifiable organizational plan for developing the essay.	Marginal Shows some evidence of an organizational plan for developing the essay.	Below Marginal Fails to organize ideas logically to develop the definition.	Inadequate Contains no organization or ideas.
Development & Details	Effective Achieves coherent development with specific and relevant details and examples based on audience and ethos, pathos, and logos.	Adequate Has focused but occasionally uneven development; incorporates some specific details based on audience and ethos, pathos, and logos.	Marginal Has some development but lacks specific details; may be limited to a listing, repetitions, or generalizations. Only mildly alludes to audience and/or ethos, pathos and logos.	Below Marginal Demonstrates little development; usually lacks details or examples or presents irrelevant information. Elements of argument and audience are barely present.	Inadequate Demonstrates no development; usually lacks details or examples or presents irrelevant information. Elements of argument and audience are not present at all.
Conventions of English	Effective Consistently controls structure and the conventions of Edited American English (EAE).	Adequate Generally controls sentence structure and the conventions of EAE.	Marginal May demonstrate inconsistent control of sentence structure and the conventions of EAE.	Below Marginal May exhibit minimal control of sentence structure and the conventions of EAE.	Inadequate May exhibit no control of sentence structure and the conventions of EAE.
Word Choice	Effective Exhibits varied and precise word choice.	Adequate Exhibits appropriate word choice.	Marginal Exhibits a narrow range of word choice, often including inappropriate selections.	Below Marginal Exhibits little variety of word usage, words are redundant.	Inadequate Exhibits weak and/or inappropriate words.
Spelling and Punctuation	Effective No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.	Adequate One to two grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.	Marginal Three to four grammatical spelling, or punctuation errors.	Below Marginal Four to six grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.	Inadequate More than six grammatical, spelling, or punctuational erros
Format	Effective Paper follows all format guidelines. 1 inch margins, 12 point Times New Roman or Arial font, title with student identification. Paragraphs are indented.	Adequate Some format guidelines are followed, but missing one requirement.	Marginal Some format guidelines are followed but missing two requirements.	Below Marginal Some format guidelines bu missing three requirements.	Inadequate Paper does not follow any or only one format guideline.
Sources	Effective Contains at least four viable sources.	Adequate Contains at least three viable sources.	Marginal Contains at least two viable sources.	Below Marginal Contains only one viable source.	Inadequate Does not contain any sources
Works Cited/ In-text Citations	Effective Contains a works cited page in proper MLA format along with properly cited in-text citations.	Adequate Contains a works cited page in mostly proper MLA format along with somewhat properly cited in-text citations.	Marginal Contains a works cited page but not in proper MLA format. In-text citations are mostly incorrect.	Below Marginal Works cited page is not properly formatted and in-text citations are either incorrect or missing.	Inadequate Does not contain a works Cited page or in-text citations.
Length	Effective Paper is four to five pages.	Adequate Paper is three to four pages.	Marginal Paper is two to three pages.	Below Marginal Paper is one to two pages.	Inadequate Paper is one page or less.

Keywords:

writing, essay, definition

Subjects:

English

Types:

Writing

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