The Odyssey Essay Assignment 0910

SMCHS ENGLISH DEPARTMENT WRITING RUBRIC
SMCHS Graduates will be: Spiritual - People of Faith, Intellectual - Skilled Lifelong Learners,
Physical - Healthy Individuals, Social & Moral - Involved Citizens of the World
Argument 5 4 3 2 1
Application: Does the writing have an argumentative thesis that answers the prompt?
Analysis: Is the argument divided into logical parts? Are provoking questions addressed? Are terms
defined?
Synthesis: Are the logical parts related to the whole? Is an understanding of the big picture evident?
Evaluation: Are opinions presented in arguable fashion? Are judgments made? Is a point made?
Development 5 4 3 2 1
Evidence: Are specific, concrete details presented?
Accuracy: Are the concrete details accurate and true?
Relevance: Is the evidence relevant to the argument? Is the relevance explained? Does it prove your
point?
Substance: Is enough evidence presented to prove your point?
Organization 5 4 3 2 1
Unity & Coherence: Does all of the writing center on the argument?
Order: Are the argument and evidence arranged in the most convincing order?
Structure: Are introduction, thesis, body paragraphs, and conclusion constructed appropriately? Are
paragraphs introduced, maintained, and concluded?
Presentation: Are symmetry, parallel structure, transitions & variation employed effectively? Is the
writing’s length appropriate to the argument?
Expression 5 4 3 2 1
Style: Is the style appropriate to the assignment – formal, informal, scholarly, personal, or creative?
Voice: Is a recognizable identity present? Is the audience understood? Is the tone appropriate?
Diction & Language: Are the most effective words chosen? Is rhetorical or figurative language
employed appropriately?
Clarity: Is the writing clear, active, readable, and appropriately concise?
Conventions 5 4 3 2 1
Diction & Spelling: Are the right words spelled correctly?
Grammar & Usage: Are person, tense, subject/verb agreement, & subordination used appropriately? Are
words and phrases used according to custom?
Mechanics & Punctuation: Is sentence construction sound? Are punctuation marks used appropriately?
MLA: Is the proper formatting applied to font, margins, spacing, & citations?
TOTAL: ________/100
Rationale for numeric values:
5 Skill or element applied subtly, sophisticatedly, with superior insight & complexity.
4 Skill or element applied with greater competence and with greater insight & complexity, but lacking the distinction of a 5.
3 Skill or element applied competently.
2 Skill or element approaching competence.
1 Little evidence of skill or element.