Compare and Contrast Essay Rubric                                                                                                                                                Name:  ____________________________________

Assessed by:  __________________________________________                                                                                    Date:    _______________________  Per:  ________

Key Traits

4

3

2

1

Comments

IDEAS

• The thesis statement is clear and explains what will be compared and contrasted.

• Relevant details and examples support each key idea.

• The thesis statement is too broad or too narrow, but loosely explains what will be compared and contrasted.

• Most key ideas are supported by details and examples.

• The thesis statement is vague and does not explain all of what will be compared and contrasted.

• More details and examples are needed to support the key ideas.

• The thesis statement is missing.

• Details and examples are irrelevant or missing.

 

ORGANIZATION

• The introduction is engaging and clearly presents the topic. (hook)

• The conclusion clearly summarizes all ideas.

• Transitional words and phrases clearly show how ideas connect.

• The organization is logical and follows a consistent pattern for comparison-contrast writing.

• The introduction clearly presents the topic. (hook)

• The conclusion summarizes the ideas.

• A few more transitions are needed.

• The organization is logical, but has a few inconsistencies.

• The introduction vaguely presents the topic.  (weak hook)

• The conclusion summarizes some of the ideas.

• Many more transitions are needed.

• The organization shows some logic but does not follow a consistent pattern.

• The introduction does not clearly set up what the essay is about.  (no hook)

• The essay lacks a conclusion.

• Few, if any, transitional words are used.

• The organization seems random; the reader often feels confused.

 

SENTENCE FLUENCY

• Sentence beginnings, lengths, and structures vary throughout.

• Sentence beginnings, lengths, and structures vary somewhat.

• Sentence beginnings, lengths, and structures do not significantly vary, and some fragments and run-on sentences are present.

• Repetitive sentence structure, fragments, and run-on sentences make the writing difficult to follow.

 

CONVENTIONS

• Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are generally correct.

• Grammar and usage are correct.

• Paragraphing tends to be correct and reinforces the organization.

• Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are sometimes incorrect.

• Grammar and usage do not distort meaning, but are not always correct.

• Paragraphing is attempted, but is not always sound.

• Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are uneven.

• Grammar and usage errors distract from meaning.

• Paragraphing is irregular or too frequent.

• Common words are misspelled and almost all punctuation is missing or incorrect.

• Grammar and usage mistakes are frequent and distort meaning.

• Paragraphing is missing.