Essay Rubric and Cover Sheet- 2 point loss if you don't have it tomorrow.

	3 70-79		4 80-84	5 85-92	6 93-100
Content and Organization ·         Hook ·         Effective conclusion ·         Content is focused ·         Details are provided for persuasive, textual, or narrative evidence ·        paragraphing	o    missing hook o    missing conclusion par. o    lacks transitions o    off-topic, too much unnecessary information o    paragraphs are disorganized or mushed together o    missing topic sentences for paragraphs o    details lack specificity and clarity o    not backed up o    you are left wondering “What? Who? How? How do you know?”		o    has hook o    opening and closing present o    single focus o    transitions evident o    paragraphs are easy to follow o    paragraphs may lack an intro or concluding sentence o    uneven development of background info and specific details—you are left wondering “What? Who? How? How do you know?”	o    strong opening and closing o    interesting hook o    unified paragraphs o    topic and concluding sentences for each paragraph o    logical progression o    transitions evident o    compositional risks (figurative language, high level punctuation) o    answers all the questions a reader may have	o    high-level hook o    distinct focus o    well-developed paragraphs with topic and concluding sentences o    compositional risks effective o    details effective, vivid, important to topic o    goes above and beyond what the reader may question by providing deep insight
Usage ·         parts of speech ·         Pronouns ·         Word choice	o    Patterns of errors evident o    Adjectives, verbs, and nouns are simple and repeated		o    Errors that do not interfere o    Adjectives, verbs, and nouns are varied and interesting	o    Few errors o    Adjectives, verbs, and nouns are specific, high-level, and vivid	o    Very few, if any errors o    Adjectives, verbs, and nouns are specific, high-level, and vivid
Sentence Construction ·         Variety of sentence types ·         Correct usage of subject and predicate ·        Sentences start with variety	o    Sentences start off the same way many times o    Repetitiveness o    Numerous errors o    Sentence fragments/incomplete sentences		o    Some repeated sentence types o    A few incomplete sentences	o    Variety of sentence types o    Few errors in sentence structure o    Easy to read	o    Very few, if any errors, o    Complex o    Compound-complex o    Compound o    Simple sentences used o    Exciting to read o    Easy to read
Mechanics ·         Spelling ·         Capitalization ·         Punctuating dialogue ·        Punctuation	o    Patterns of errors o    Same words used incorrectly repeatedly		o    No pattern evident o    Errors do not interfere	o    Few errors	o    Few, if any, errors
Name:
Unit:		Writing Expectations
Task:		Write a five (5) paragraph essay answering the three questions (each question will be a body paragraph): ·         What is the meaning of Miep's response/quote? ·         How can this quote relate to “Freedom Writers” and “War of the Wall”? ·        Why is freedom of self-expression and equal education so important in our world today?  Use evidence from BOTH “Freedom Writers” and “War of the Wall.”
Area(s) of Improvement:		In the next writing piece, focus on improving the writing element below.  Doing so will help the overall effect and quality of your writing. o   Ideas (the content, message, details that support) o   Organization (internal structure) o   Voice (personal stamp of the writer) o   Word Choice (specific vocabulary used to enlighten the reader) o   Sentencing (way the words and phrases “flow”) o   Conventions  (mechanical correctness of spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar) o   Presentation (physical appearance of the piece)
Strengths:		You’ve done first-rate work in the area(s) below.  Continue to shine! o   Focusing on the topic o   Developing  and using details o   Hooking the reader o   Using transition words o   Catchy conclusion o   Establishing a personal writing voice—this SOUNDS interesting! o   Taking compositional risks o   Using figurative language o   Using strong verbs o   Selecting striking words and phrases o   Using specific and accurate words o   Choosing words that deepen meaning o   Crafting well-built sentences o   Varying sentence types o   Checking spelling and Pet Peeves o   Punctuating effectively o   Paragraphing accurately o   Applying neat handwriting skills o   As a teacher, it’s nice to see a student who seems so driven and interested in the material.  Thanks for showing some enthusiasm. J
Overall Grade: