The Maya Essay Rubric Name__________________________________________

4 3 2 1 Score

The thesis statement The thesis statement The thesis statement The thesis statement
Purpose/Thesis names the topic of the names the topic of the outlines some or all of does not name the topic
essay and outlines the essay. the main points to be AND does not preview
main points to be discussed but does not what will be discussed.
discussed. name the topic.

The writer clearly Includes 2 or more Includes 1 or fewer Does not state/include
Reasons/Main includes 2 or more pieces of pieces of evidence/arguments that
Points/Support pieces of evidence/arguments that evidence/arguments that support position
evidence/arguments that support the position support the position statement.
support the position statement. statement.
statement.

The conclusion is strong The conclusion is The authors position is There is no conclusion -
Conclusion and leaves the reader recognizable. The restated within the the paper just ends.
solidly understanding authors position is closing paragraph but
the writers position. restated within the does not restate
Effective restatement of closing paragraph. arguments/main points.
the position statement
and arguments is
included.

Sentences and Sentence and paragraph Sentence and paragraph Language, structure, and
Organization paragraphs are complete, structure is generally structure is inconsistent. tone of the essay is
well written, and varied. correct. unclear and lacks
description.

Author makes few or no Author makes 4-5 errors Author makes 6-10 Author makes more than
Mechanics/ grammar or spelling in grammar or spelling errors in grammar or 10 errors in grammar or
Grammar errors that distract the that distract the reader spelling that distract the spelling that distract the
reader from the content. from the content. reader from the content. reader from the content.

Total ______________