Mr.

Mikalaitis
AP Language and Composition
Take Home Essay Rubric
9/8
A = 10 points
7/6
B = 8.5 points
5/4
C = 7.5 points
3
D = 6.5 points
2/1
F = 4 points
Introduction and Thesis
8%
The introduction is eloquent. It draws the
reader in immediately with a creative
approach. The thesis is clear, sophisticated,
and answers the question being asked. The
thesis serves as a clear guide for the rest of
the essay by reflecting the order in which the
main points are made.
The introduction may not draw the reader in
immediately with a creative approach. The
thesis is clear and answers the question being
asked. The thesis serves as a clear guide for
the rest of the essay by reflecting the order in
which the main points are made, but it is not as
original or as insightful as an 8 paper.
The introduction is only somewhat
clear and not creative. The thesis
answers the question being asked,
but may be slightly confusing.

The introduction lacks clarity.
The thesis may answer the
question being asked, but is very
confusing for readers or the
thesis statement is not truly an
argument

Fails to meet criteria.
Topic Sentences
10%
Every paragraph has a topic sentence that
makes clear the exact purpose of the
paragraph and clearly ties back to the thesis.
This is accomplished in a sophisticated
manner.

Almost every paragraph has a topic sentence
that makes clear the exact purpose of the
paragraph and clearly ties back to the thesis.


Some paragraphs have a topic
sentence that makes clear the exact
purpose of the paragraph.

Few paragraphs have a topic
sentence that makes clear the
exact purpose of the paragraph.
Fails to meet criteria.
Body Paragraph
Construction,
Organization, and Flow
15%
Every body paragraph serves as a building
block in logically defending the thesis and
clarifying its nuances. Every body paragraph
contains only one topic. The transitions and
flow within and between paragraphs are
accomplished in a sophisticated manner.

Almost every body paragraph serves as a
building block in logically defending the thesis
and clarifying its nuances. Almost every body
paragraph contains only one topic. The
transitions and flow within and between
paragraphs are accomplished in an adequate
manner.


Some body paragraphs serve as
building blocks in logically defending
the thesis and clarifying its nuances.
Some body paragraphs contain only
one topic. Some sentences within
paragraphs may not flow well.


There is little to no flow within
and between body paragraphs.
Few body paragraphs contain
only one topic. Few body
paragraphs serve as building
blocks in logically defending the
thesis and clarifying its nuances.

Fails to meet criteria.
Rhetorical Mode
15%
See criteria below for assigned rhetorical
mode.

The essay demonstrates a good understanding
of the assigned rhetorical mode.
The essay demonstrates an
adequate understanding of the
assigned rhetorical mode, but it may
be inconsistent.
The essay shows an inadequate
understanding of the assigned
rhetorical mode.

Fails to meet criteria.
Purpose
15%
The purpose of the essay is completely clear
and significant. The purpose, rather than
the rhetorical mode, is the star of the essay.
The purpose of the essay is relatively clear and
significant. The purpose, rather than the
rhetorical mode, is almost always the star of the
essay.
There is a purpose to the essay
beyond the rhetorical mode, but not
all body paragraphs help to prove
that purpose and/or the purpose
sometimes gets lost.

The essay lacks a clear or
significant purpose.


Fails to meet criteria.
Conclusion
8%

The paper contains an effective concluding
paragraph that leaves the reader with a
sense of completeness and a conviction that
the point has been made. It brings the
paper to a thoughtful, satisfying end.



The conclusion is almost entirely a
mechanical summary of the
obvious, or just a restatement of the
thesis.

There is no concluding
paragraph.


Fails to meet criteria.
Style
10%
There is sophisticated sentence variety. The
paper always demonstrates college-level
verbal finesse. The paper has an extremely
engaging voice that is truly the writers own
and captivates the readers attention. The
writer uses resources of language effectively
and consistently throughout the essay.

There is sentence variety. The paper usually
demonstrates college-level verbal finesse and
an engaging voice. The writer uses resources of
language adequately and consistently
throughout the essay.


Sentence variety is limited. The
essay does not have a truly
engaging voice.
The author uses basic vocabulary.


There is little to no sentence
variety. The vocabulary is
immature or overly colloquial.
There is no sense of voice.


Fails to meet criteria.
Mechanics
11%

There are no grammatical errors.





There are a few grammatical errors.


There are too many grammatical
errors for a finished product.
Fails to meet criteria.
Title
3%
There is a provocative title that engages the
reader, emphasizes the main idea, and sets
the tone for the purpose of the essay.

There is no title or the title
exhibits a lack of creativity.

Fails to meet criteria.
Format
5%
Format is 100% accurate: Times New
Roman, 12 point font, double spaced, 1 inch
margins. Black ink. MLA heading. If
sources are used, they are cited correctly
using MLA parenthetical citations AND a
works cited page.
One or more aspects of the
format is incorrect.

Fails to meet criteria.

Length Requirement: Essay must be at least 2 pages long. Each page is worth 50 points. Essays under the page limit will have points
deducted accordingly. For example, a 1 page essay will automatically receive a 25 point deduction.

Rhetorical Modes:
Narrative: Must be non-fiction. The narrative contains a clear exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Essay must contain a section of
believable dialogue. Transitions are used to clarify order of events.
Description: Uses at least 5 of the following kinds of sensory imagery (visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, organic---(an internal sensation like hunger),
kinesthetic, tactile. Lines that include sensory imagery must be in a different color than the rest of the text or bolded. Essay must uses vivid verbs, adverbs, and
adjectives. Essay must show not tell.
Argument: Uses a combination of logos, pathos, and ethos. If logical fallacies are used, they are used effectively. Author uses at least 2 credible secondary
sources to support the argument. The essay effectively addresses and counters an opposing argument. MLA in-text citations and an MLA Works Cited page are
included and formatted correctly.
Process Analysis: Breaks down subject of essay into clear and identifiable steps. Steps are in chronological order. Defines terms readers may not know.
Cause and Effect: Essay presents a clear pattern of causes and effects. Author avoids post-hoc fallacy.
Exemplification: Essay contains a number of varied, detailed examples that adequately support the thesis statement. Author has given consideration to the order
of examples.
Compare and Contrast: Analysis of subjects must be relatively balanced. Essay must be organized using point by point or subject by subject.
Definition: Author explains why subject of essay is unique or significant. Author uses an appropriate range of other rhetorical modes to develop the subjective.
Essay does NOT include a dictionary definition of the word.
Classification and Division: Essay presents clear and distinct categories. The categories do not overlap. Author provides enough examples so that the reader
can easily distinguish differences between categories.