Up From Slavery Descriptive Essay Janelle Green 2
Descriptive Essay Rubric
CATEGORY
4
3
2
1
Student Score
Title
Title is creative, sparks interest and is related to the topic.
Title is related to the topic but needs to be more creative.
Title is present.
No title present.
4
Introduction (Organization)
The introduction is inviting, states the main topic, previews the structure of the paper, and includes a well-written, clever lead that is related to the essay’s topic which attracts the reader’s attention.
The introduction clearly states the main topic and previews the structure of the paper, but is not particularly inviting to the reader. A well-written lead is used to attract the reader’s attention.
The introduction states the main topic, but does not adequately preview the structure of the paper nor is it particularly inviting to the reader. A lead is used but is not particularly attractive to the reader or does not relate to the topic.
There is no clear introduction of the main topic or structure of the paper. No lead is used.
2
Focus on Topic (Content)
There is one clear, well-focused topic. Main idea stands out and is supported by detailed information. Well-written topic sentences are used in each 5-7 sentence paragraph.
Main idea is clear but the supporting information is general. Topic sentences are used in each paragraph.
Main idea is somewhat clear but there is a need for more supporting information. Topic sentences are used in most paragraphs.
The main idea is not clear. There is a seemingly random collection of information.
Topic sentences appear in few or none of the paragraphs.
2
Supporting Information/
Details
Several relevant, telling, quality details give the reader important information that allow the reader to picture, smell, feel, hear or imagine tasting things described.
Supporting details and information are relevant, but one key issue or part of the description is unsupported. There are a few vivid details in the essay.
Supporting details and information are relevant, but
CATEGORY
4
3
2
1
Student Score
Title
Title is creative, sparks interest and is related to the topic.
Title is related to the topic but needs to be more creative.
Title is present.
No title present.
4
Introduction (Organization)
The introduction is inviting, states the main topic, previews the structure of the paper, and includes a well-written, clever lead that is related to the essay’s topic which attracts the reader’s attention.
The introduction clearly states the main topic and previews the structure of the paper, but is not particularly inviting to the reader. A well-written lead is used to attract the reader’s attention.
The introduction states the main topic, but does not adequately preview the structure of the paper nor is it particularly inviting to the reader. A lead is used but is not particularly attractive to the reader or does not relate to the topic.
There is no clear introduction of the main topic or structure of the paper. No lead is used.
2
Focus on Topic (Content)
There is one clear, well-focused topic. Main idea stands out and is supported by detailed information. Well-written topic sentences are used in each 5-7 sentence paragraph.
Main idea is clear but the supporting information is general. Topic sentences are used in each paragraph.
Main idea is somewhat clear but there is a need for more supporting information. Topic sentences are used in most paragraphs.
The main idea is not clear. There is a seemingly random collection of information.
Topic sentences appear in few or none of the paragraphs.
2
Supporting Information/
Details
Several relevant, telling, quality details give the reader important information that allow the reader to picture, smell, feel, hear or imagine tasting things described.
Supporting details and information are relevant, but one key issue or part of the description is unsupported. There are a few vivid details in the essay.
Supporting details and information are relevant, but