ADVANCED – 4 PROFICIENT – 3 NEEDS IMPROVEMENT – 2 NOT YET – 1

Style Maintains unique and interesting Style may be inconsistent; utilizes Formulated and Clichés and trite expressions used
style; utilizes a variety of literary some literary devices without unoriginal; literary abundantly; no use of literary
Writing style used devices without using clichés using clichés devices not utilized; some use of devices
clichés
Organization The writer focuses on three main The writer seldom wanders from the The writer wanders from the main
points. The pattern is suited to the topic, main points. The pattern fits the topic, point, confusing the reader. The pattern The text is a disjointed collection of
5 Paragraph Form: purpose, and audience. The intro purpose, and audience. The intro is is not well suited to this topic, purpose, random thoughts. There is no
Introduction engages the reader's attention, and the appealing, and the conclusion works or audience. The intro and conclusion identifiable structure or pattern. There
3 Body Paragraphs conclusion is strong. well. are present; one or both need work. is no real intro or conclusion.
Conclusion
Thesis Statement
Reflection Reflection is thoughtful and Thoughtful but predictable, essay is Reflection is a simple restatement of the Little or no evidence of reflection
convincing, emerges from the occasion, grounded in the occasion, not the belief, limited to superficial
Traces the process of idea not around or alongside it; presents reflection; establishes a loose generalizations, may have little
development, making ideas in an original way; reflection may connection between the experience connection to the occasion being
connections between be implicit, embedded in a way that and the essay purpose; may be discussed
thought or belief and leads the reader from the specific to the convincing but lacking sophisticated
experience abstraction that underlies it exploration
Development Pays attention to particulars of Uses some detail and some sensory Limited to lists of details or No attempt to elaborate, or attempt
observation which are recounted as a language and strategies for generalizations may be simple repetition of the initial
Vivid, sensory description, way of grounding the reflection; uses developing insight statement
persuasion, explanation imaginative yet precise language to
which supports the purpose enhance presentation of subtleties of
and elaborates on the thought; metaphoric language
reflection
Conventions Writing has been well edited. Grammar Writing has clearly been edited. Writing has not been carefully edited. Writing has not been edited. Mistakes
and Punctuation rules are followed, few Grammar and Punctuation rules are Grammar and Punctuation rules are make it impossible to understand
Grammar, Punctuation, to no errors. mostly followed. Some errors, but loosely followed. Errors make it what the author’s message is.
Editing they do not affect the reading of the difficult to understand the author’s
piece. message.

RUBRIC for PERSONAL ESSAY

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
 RUBRIC FOR ESSAY

CRITERIA 1 2 3 4
Focus/ Main Point ideas The essay poorly addresses The essay is focused on topic The essay is focused on the The essay is focused,
topic and includes irrelevant and includes few loosely topic and includes relevant purposeful, and reflects clear
ideas related ideas ideas insight and ideas
Support Provides little or no support Supports main point with Supports main point with Persuasively supports main
for the main point some underdeveloped reasons developed reasons and/or point with well-developed
and/or examples examples reasons and/or examples
Organization & Format Little or no organization of Some organization of ideas to Organizes ideas to build an Effectively organizes ideas to
ideas to build an argument build an argument argument build a logical, coherent
(Paragraphs, Transitions) argument

Language Use, Style & Little or no use of elements of Some use of elements of style Appropriate use of elements Effective and creative use of
Conventions style Many errors in Contains frequent errors in of style Uses correct elements of style to enhance
grammar, spelling, and grammar, spelling, and grammar, spelling, and meaning Uses correct
(Sentence structure, word punctuation, makes reader’s punctuation punctuation with few errors grammar, spelling,
choice, grammar, spelling, comprehension difficult punctuation throughout with
punctuation) very few errors

Originality No experimentation nor Very little experimentation to Sufficient experimentation Distinctive experimentation
enhancement of concepts No enhance concepts Does not with language and usage to with language and usage to
(Expression of the theme in a adherence to the theme exhibit creativity enhance concepts Applies enhance concepts Applies
creative way) basic creative skills to relay higher order thinking and
ideas creative skills to relay
complex ideas

Additional Comments: