Education

Expository Essay Rubric

By Melissa Kelly, About.com Guide

Was the writer's purpose in this piece to explain rather than persuade, compare or contrast?
Circle one. Yes - Generally - Somewhat - No
Was the writer's thesis statement clear and well worded?
Circle one. Yes - Generally - Somewhat - No
Did the introduction catch your attention and make you want to read the essay?
Did the essay contain at least three specific examples or narratives that were colorful and interesting?
Circle one. Yes No

Directions: Rate the critical elements of essay using keys at the right and then calculate a final score using the formula below.

Key

____

Focus

6	Focussed, purposeful & reflects insight
5	Focussed on the topic
4	Focussed, on topic and includes few, if any, loosely related ideas
3	Focussed but may contain ideas that are loosely connected to the topic
2	Addresses topic but may lose focus by including extraneous or loosely related ideas
1	Addresses topic but may lose focus by including extraneous or loosely related ideas

____

Organization

6	Powerfully organized
5	Logical Progression of Ideas
4	Transitional devices strengthen organization
3	Lacks logical progression of ideas
2	Includes a beginning, middle and end, but these elements may be brief
1	Has an organizational pattern, but may lack completeness or closure

____

Conventions

6	Few errors, sentence structure varied
5	Sentence structure varied
4	Occasional errors; word choice is adequate
3	General conventions are used
2	Errors in basic conventions, but common words are spelled correctly
1	Frequent and blatant errors in basic conventions; commonly used words may be misspelled

____

Understanding

6	Superior understanding
5	Mature understanding
4	Commonplace understanding
3	Partial/limited understanding
2	Definite misunderstanding
1	Obvious misunderstanding

____

Support

6	Superior understanding
5	Specific Details
4	Lacks specificity and support is loosely developed
3	Development of support is uneven
2	Development of support is erratic and nonspecific
1	Little, if any, development of the supporting ideas; support may consist of generalizations or fragmentary lists.

Note: You will need to get weighting factors from your teacher since they may change according to the emphasis of your current assignment. For example, if your teacher is working on support, it may be weighted by 3 with other elements weighted only by one.

Score =	((F x ___)	+ (O x___)	+ (C x___)	+ (U x___)	+ (S x___))	/x
Score =	( _____	+______	+______	+______	+______)	/x
Score =	______	/x
Score =	______

Please write a few overall comments and suggestions for improvement.

Please note: Elements rated in the chart above are from the Florida Writes Assessment; however, point values are estimated and relative importance of elements, established here by weighting factors, are have not been publicized by the Florida Writes program directors.

Read Creating and Using Rubrics to give advice for using rubrics in class.

Main Rubric Menu

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Melissa Kelly
Secondary Education Guide

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