Polish S Essay Test Grading Rubric

Essay Structural Requirements:

I. Introduction a. Hook b. Opening Statement c. Thesis d. Map Statement II. Body Paragraph 1 a. Topic Statement b. Reason 1 c. Example 1 d. Explanation 1 e. Reason 2 f. Example 2 g. Explanation 2 h. Transition III. Body Paragraph 2 a. Topic Statement b. Reason 1 c. Example 1 d. Explanation 1 e. Reason 2 f. Example 2 g. Explanation 2 h. Transition IV. Body Paragraph 3 a. Topic Statement b. Reason 1 c. Example 1 d. Explanation 1 e. Reason 2 f. Example 2 g. Explanation 2 V. Conclusion a. Summary b. Closing Statement Polish’s Essay Test Grading Rubric

The Introduction:

5 10 15 20 25

Lacks a hook Has a strong hook (does not need to be a quote) that says talks about the period right before the general topic

Does not explain Clearly connects the hook the hook to the thesis

Lacks a thesis Has a strong, clear thesis that answers the main question

Lacks a map statement Has a clear map statement that outlines the three body paragraphs

The Three Body Paragraphs:

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Lack topic statements Clearly state the topic in the first sentence

Lack reasons to Have strong reasons explain the explain the topic statements topic statement

Lack specific examples Have two specific examples to develop the reasons in each paragraph

Examples do not give details Examples give the who, what, where, when, why, and how of a situation.

Have examples that lack explanation Explain each example and connect it to the main argument.

Lack transitions Smoothly transition from one paragraph to another The Conclusion

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Does not re-state thesis Re-states thesis in different words.

Does not summarize main argument Summarizes main argument in different words

Lacks a closing statement Closes with a memorable line that connects essay to the period immediately following the essay

Points will automatically be deducted for:

Asking questions

Addressing the reader (“Look at Washington”)

Writing “you”

Writing “I,” “us,” “our” or “we” in any paragraph

Abbreviating words like “can’t,” “govt.” or “don’t”

Using present or future tense to talk about historical events (“Roosevelt will start the war”)

Writing “this essay is about,” “this paragraph is about,” “for example,” or “in conclusion”

Starting a sentence with “well,” “but,” “and,” “cause,” “which,” “in which,” “yes,” “no,” or “or”

Repeating a sentence or phrase word-for-word

Using a quote without citing the source

Using slang or curse words (“Germany sucked and their government was b.s.”)

Writing sentence fragments (“Although it was a good war”)

Writing run-on sentences (“Roosevelt was a good president he defended the nation”) Vague examples (“There was this battle during the war where a lot of people died”)

Not writing a title

Using the words “essay,” “test” or “Polish” in your title