POD Writing Rubric

A. CRITICAL THINKING
Thesis: Evident, focused, debatable
4

The thesis statement (focus/point of view)

is clear and obvious to the reader. It poses
an interesting and debatable question or
sets up an original opinion that the rest of
the paper develops.

The thesis (focus/point of view) is evident

to the reader. It poses a question or sets
up an opinion that the rest of the paper
develops.

Although the paper may start with a thesis

statement, it does not seem to guide the
rest of the paper.

There is no evidence of a thesis statement

Comments:

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Historical Analysis: Insightful, Original, Thought-provoking
4
The paper contains original, insightful,
and thorough historical analysis of the
ideas from both the writers own thinking
and the information used form outside
sources.

3
The paper contains historical analysis of
the ideas from both the writers own
thinking and the information used form
outside sources.

2
The paper contains little historical
analysis from both the writers own
thinking and the information used from
outside sources.

1
The paper contains no historical analysis
of the ideas from both the writers own
thinking and information from outside
sources.

Comments:

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Historical Evidence / Support/ Details: Relevant, Specific, Thorough
4
The paper shows exceptional use of
specific, relevant evidence, examples and
details from sources to support the thesis
thoroughly.

3
The paper uses specific, relevant
evidence, examples and details from
sources to support the thesis.

2
The paper uses limited specific, relevant
evidence, and details but not enough to
support the thesis adequately.

1
The paper uses few or no specific,
relevant evidence, examples and details
from sources.

Comments:

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B. WRITING MECHANICS / STRUCTURE
Word Choice/Voice:
4

Exhibits exceptional voice through the use

of appropriate language and vocabulary.

Exhibits voice through the use of

appropriate language and vocabulary.

2
Exhibits limited voice with little use of
appropriate language and word choice.

1
Exhibits little or no voice, displaying
fundamental errors in language and word
choice.

Comments:

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Writing Mechanics / Grammar
4

No significant errors, causing no

interference with communication in the
areas of:
spelling
usage
punctuation
capitalization

Few significant errors, causing little

interference with communication in the
areas of:
spelling
usage
punctuation
capitalization

2
Significant errors, causing interference
with communication in the
areas of:
spelling
usage
punctuation
capitlization

1
Many significant errors, severely
interfering with communication in the
areas of:
spelling
usage
punctuation
capitilization

Comments:

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Conversion from rubric to numerical grade:

All 4s
Mix of 4s and 3s
All 3s
Mix of 3s and 2s
All 2s
Mix of 2s and 1s

Overall Comments:
100
93-99
90-93
78-89
75-78
60-75

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All 1s
Mix of all Four

Below 60
Teacher discretion

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FINAL NUMERICAL GRADE: _____________