Lupe Quintanilla is an outstanding example of someone who has taken charge of her life. She has been, to echo the poet whose work she teaches, the architect of her own destiny. Choose a person you know who, in your opinion, has done a fine job of taking charge of his or her own destiny. Write an paragraph about this person. You might describe three areas of life in which the person has taken control. Alternatively, you might narrate three incidents from the person’s life that illustrate his or her admirable self-determination.
English Composition 1000
Five Paragraph Essay Grading Rubric
Essay Element |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introduction Paragraph |
||||||
Main points |
Main points clearly outline the arguments of the essay with a complete sentence for each point. All relate directly to and support the thesis. |
Main points clearly outline the arguments of the essay with a complete sentence for each point. All |
Main points clearly outline the arguments of the essay with less than one sentence for each point. |
Main points vaguely outline the arguments of the essay but do not relate to or support the thesis. |
Main points are vague or unclear. |
No discernable main points. |
The Hook |
Hook sentence used as first sentence. Interests, captivates reader, encouraging reader to continue. Uses one of recommended types of hooks (fact or statistic, anecdote or personal experience, rhetorical question, bold pronouncement). |
Hook sentence present, but does not draw reader in. Use of recommended type of hook present. Relates to thesis. |
Hook sentence present in paragraph, but not as first sentence. Hook relates to thesis |
First sentence does not use one of five recommended types of hooks, but sentence relates to the thesis. Sentence is not creative or interesting. |
First sentence does not relate to the topic or thesis. |
Hook sentence is not present. |
Thesis |
Directly answers the |
Directly answers the |
Directly answers the |
Answers the question in a vague or general way with no reference to the main points. |
Thesis answers only a portion of the question. |
Thesis answers the question incorrectly or no discernable thesis. |
Three Body Paragraphs (score is computed for each body paragraph)
|
||||||
Topic sentence |
Limits the paragraph to |
Limits the paragraph to |
More than one idea expressed in the topic sentence or the sentence only vaguely supports the thesis. |
More than one idea expressed in the topic sentence AND only vaguely supports the thesis. |
More than one idea expressed in the topic sentence AND does not support the thesis. |
No topic sentence. |
Specific evidence
|
|
At |
Less than three specific examples stated. At |
Three vague generalities stated. |
Less than three vague generalities stated |
No evidence given. |
Connection |
All evidence directly relates to and supports the topic sentence in an analytical way. (Clearly shows connection between evidence and events) |
All evidence directly relates to and supports the topic sentence. |
All evidence vaguely related to the topic sentence OR some evidence unrelated |
All evidence is only vague generalities. |
Evidence has no connection to topic sentence. |
Evidence contradicts the thesis or topic sentence. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transition |
XXXXX |
XXXXX |
Connects to the next paragraph in a complex manner linking the final sentence of the paragraph and the first sentence of the next. |
The paragraphs are smoothly connected with transitional phrases. |
The paragraphs are connected with a transitional word. |
No transition between paragraphs. |
Conclusion Paragraph |
||||||
Topic sentence |
Limits the paragraph to |
Limits the paragraph to |
More than one idea expressed in the topic sentence or the sentence only vaguely supports the thesis. |
More than one idea expressed in the topic sentence AND only vaguely supports the thesis. |
More than one idea expressed in the topic sentence AND does not support the thesis. |
No topic sentence |
Review of paper |
Clearly and succinctly reviews the main points of the essay in a different way from the introduction in one sentence. |
Clearly reviews the main points of the essay in a different way from the introduction in one sentence. |
Simply repeats the main points as they appear in the introduction |
Some man points not mentioned |
Review of main points simply implied |
No review of the main points |
Short term importance |
Clearly and analytically states the importance of the topic during its time. Directly links specific events to the importance of the topic |
Short-term importance is clearly stated but NO specific examples are given. |
Short-term importance is only implied but is illustrated by specific examples |
Short-term importance is only implied |
Only vague generalizations are given. |
No examination of short term importance |
Long term importance |
Clearly and analytically states the importance of the topic on subsequent events. Directly links |
Long-term importance is clearly stated but NO specific examples are given |
Long-term importance is only implied but is illustrated by specific examples |
Long-term importance is only implied |
Only vague generalizations are given. |
No examination of long term importance |