Important note before you begin to grade
When assessing student papers we recommend that you use the essaypop assessment tool. The tool includes pre-made rubrics and cuts grading time by 75%.
The Criteria
Title
Includes a unique title that is relevant to the prompt and topic being discussed.
Specific Expectations
This short response is at least XX words in length.
It presents a focused and unambiguous thesis statement or claim.
Relevant evidence or research such as quotations, paraphrasing, and other proof is included and properly cited.
Evidence or research is adequately introduced and/or contextualized.
Analysis and explanation (interpretation) written in the essayists’ own words is adequate, relevant, and appropriate. This commentary demonstrates the writer’s understanding of the topic or source material being discussed and provides unique insight into the subject being discussed.
The essay concludes with a resolute wrap-up sentence, statement, or closer.
General Expectations
The paper is organized, focused, and clearly addresses the prompt.
The paper exhibits an overall sense of logic, coherence, and intentional structure.
Errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax do not interfere with the enjoyment and understanding of the essay.
There is evidence of revision based on reflection and feedback.
The Rubrics
Please note that there are elements included here that don't appear on the original basic paragraph template (the hook, for example, is not included). The reason we are included all possible rubric components here is that students may elect to add one of these components on their own.
Element Specific (click on any image to enlarge)
Holistic Rubrics (click any image to enlarge)
Common Core Literacy and Writing Standards of Focus
General
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources, and demonstrate an understanding of the topic or text.
These standards are supported by essaypop’s writing frame system which guides students through the creation of distinct and discrete essay elements. The thesis statement frame allows the writer to introduce a focused claim, while the sentence starters allow students to dial up numerous phrases and stems to begin expressing this claim.
The research/evidence frames provide a place for students to write their reasons and evidence. These frames can be easily and strategically stacked, alternated, and rearranged. The sentence starters allow students to introduce and smoothly contextualize their evidence.
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to the task, purpose, and audience.
Establish and maintain a formal style.
Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
In the Hive, students collaborate, communicate, and give and receive writing feedback. Students may be strategically grouped or clustered by the teacher, or the Hive can be left wide open (alpha mode) so that students may communicate with any other student.
Here is a link to the entire collection of Common Core writing standards for all grade levels.