6+1 Trait

Comparison and Contrast Rubric

Beginning
0 pts
Emerging
5 pts
Proficient
7 pts
Advanced
10 pts

IDEAS/Thesis
pts Is a purpose for comparison
or contrast made clear through
either a direct or an implied
thesis.
Beginning

Thesis is not present or
is unclear.
Emerging

Thesis is present but is
too broad for the essay
topic.
Proficient

Thesis is present and fits,
but the message of the
thesis is not clear.
Advanced

Thesis is clear and well- written, either
explicitly or implicitly.
*driven by the student's ideas, noting what
the author may mean or intend.

IDEAS/Comparison/Contrast
pts Are sufficient examples of
BOTH comparison and contrast
present and are they appropriate
for the paper? Are the points of
comparison and contrast useful in
proving the thesis?
Beginning

Points of comparison
are not useful or
sufficient, and they are
inconsistently
developed.
Emerging

Some points of
comparison are useful
and sufficient, and are
somewhat developed.
Proficient

Most points of comparison
are useful and sufficient,
and are mostly developed.
Advanced

All points of comparison are *useful and
sufficient *consistently developed, either
point-by-point, or subject-by-subject.
*Text citations are abundant throughout
the discussion
*Proper numbers of quotations are
included.

ORGANIZATION/Connections
pts Are the things being
compared, contrasted, or
developed through analogy
logically connected to one
another.
Beginning

The things being
compared are not
logically connected to
one another.
Emerging

Some connection
between the compared
items is shown, but it is
not sufficient.
Proficient

Connections are present
and logical but could be
more convincing; do not
qualify as excellent.
Advanced

Subjects or topics are *logically connected
to each other
* presented in a clear and appropriate
manner.

ORGANIZATION/Logical
Order
pts Is the pattern of development
appropriate for the writer's
purpose and the readers' needs.
Beginning

The paragraphs within
the essay and the essay
as a whole are
developed in a logical
order.
Emerging

The writer attempts to
develop the essay in a
logical order, but some
of the essay may be
presented in an order
readers may find
confusing.
Proficient

Most of the essay is
presented in a logical order,
and readers should have
little trouble following the
comparison.
Advanced

The essay is
*in a logical order appropriate to the
writer's purpose and readers' needs
*ordered point-by-point or subject-by-
subject.
*based on the comparison and contrast
*argues the message of the author,
according to the student's thesis statement.
*Conclusion is the meat of the essay.

ORGANIZATION/Transitions
pts Are transitions provided
where needed but not overused.
Beginning

Transitions are not
present or do not
effectively direct
readers from one
example to the next.
Emerging

Transitions are present
but do not effectively
direct readers from one
example to the next.
They may be basic
and/or confusing.
Proficient

Transitions are present and
direct readers from point to
point, though not to the
level of excellence. They
may be basic and/or
confusing.
Advanced

Transitions are *present and effectively
direct readers from point to point.
* Exhibit sophistication on the part of the
writer. *transitional phrases depict either
comparison or contrast effectively.

CONVENTIONS/Grammar
and Mechanics
pts Does paper indicate that
writer has control of the rules of
grammar and mechanics?
Beginning

Essay contains many
errors, some of which
are distracting to the
reader.
Emerging

Essay contains several
errors, which obstruct
the flow of reading.
Proficient

Essay contains more than
two errors, but they are not
distracting to the reader.
Advanced

Essay contains one or two errors.

CONVENTIONS/Proper
citation
pts
Beginning

Citations within the text
are incorrectly
punctuated.
Emerging

No comment
available.
Proficient

No comment available.
Advanced

Citations are properly punctuated.

WORD CHOICE/Word Usage
pts Does writer use vocabulary
appropriate to the essay.
Beginning

Word usage is informal
and/or inappropriate to
the essay.
Emerging

Word usage is
appropriate but lacks
sophistication expected
in word choice for this
essay.
Proficient

Word usage is appropriate
but does not qualify as
excellent.
Advanced

*Word usage is appropriate and
sophisticated.
*Diction includes mature and sophisticated
word selection in describing character
relationships. *Syntax indicates a variety
of sentence types.