Students write an informative essay that increases readers’ knowledge of the topic and comprehension of the thesis statement. Students are assessed on their ability to write cohesive paragraphs, a thesis statement that is fully supported throughout the essay, an introduction, and a conclusion that are free of punctuation, grammar, and spelling errors. Students write in their own words, objectively without bias, and support their statements with evidence. The essay consists of four- to five-pages, including a title page and an annotated bibliography consisting of at least three credible and/or relevant sources. At least three in-text citations from different sources are required. The essay must be formatted in APA, including a title page, an annotated bibliography (in place of a references page), page headers, document headers, one-inch page margins, and be double-spaced using Times New Roman 12-point font.
Components % of Grade
Analysis and use of course concepts 30%
Organization and coherence 30%
Style and mechanics 20%
APA Style (citations, references, formatting) 20%
TOTAL 100%
Informative Essay Rubric
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Below Standard |
Approaching Standard |
At Standard |
Exceeds Standard |
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DAS-U-Analysis and use of course concepts |
Points Range:0 (0%) - 17.25 (17.25%) • Does not attempt to explain how the evidence relates to topic • Superficial and poorly developed analysis • Little or no connections are made to course concepts • Uses few sources, may misunderstand them, and lacks critical thinking • No or minimal scholarly references |
Points Range:17.25 (17.25%) - 22.87 (22.87%) • Analysis of the evidence stretches its meaning to support topic • Some new ideas and insight, but lacks depth and detail • Incorporates some course concepts, but accuracy and development are not consistent • Shows basic understanding of sources but does not critically evaluate them • Incorporates few or no scholarly references |
Points Range:22.88 (22.88%) - 28.12 (28.12%) • Analysis explains how the evidence supports the topic in most cases • Analysis reflects insight but is not fully developed • Incorporates many course concepts but sometimes does not develop them • Shows careful reading of sources but little or no critical evaluation • Incorporates adequate or minimum number of scholarly references to support analysis |
Points Range:28.12 (28.12%) - 30 (30%) • Analysis shows a strong relationship between the evidence and the topic • Analysis is insightful and original • Incorporates course concepts accurately, consistently, and frequently • Critically evaluates sources • Incorporates numerous or more than the minimum number of scholarly references required to support analysis |
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DAS-U-Style and mechanics |
Points Range:0 (0%) - 11.5 (11.5%) • Contains spelling, punctuation, and/or grammatical errors, so understanding is difficult • Contains numerous awkward or ungrammatical sentences, and sentence structure is simple or monotonous • Misuses words, or uses words that are too vague and abstract or too personal and specific for the topic |
Points Range:11.5 (11.5%) - 15.25 (15.25%) • Contains spelling, punctuation, and/or grammatical errors which may temporarily confuse the reader, but does not generally impede the overall understanding • Sentence structure generally correct but may be wordy, unfocused, repetitive, or confusing • Uses relatively vague or general words and sometimes inappropriate words |
Points Range:15.25 (15.25%) - 18.75 (18.75%) • Contains spelling, punctuation, and/or grammatical errors, but does not impede understanding • Sentences generally clear, well structured, and focused, but some may be awkward or ineffective • Generally uses words accurately and effectively, but sometimes may be too general |
Points Range:18.75 (18.75%) - 20 (20%) • Almost entirely free of spelling, punctuation, and/or grammatical errors • Sentences are varied, clearly structured, carefully focused, and fits assignment’s purpose and audience • Words chosen for their precise meaning and an appropriate level of specificity are used |
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DAS-U-Organization and coherence |
Points Range:0 (0%) - 17.25 (17.25%) • Is unclear with no or minimal organization, so ideas appear to be arranged in a random order • Few or inappropriate transitions between paragraphs, and ideas are not developed clearly • Does not appropriately respond to the assignment |
Points Range:17.25 (17.25%) - 22.87 (22.87%) • Minimal organization so ideas appear as a list • Transitions between ideas are minimal, and development of ideas may lack coherence • Not all aspects of the assignment are addressed |
Points Range:22.88 (22.88%) - 28.12 (28.12%) • Follows a logical organization • Ideas are developed but not all pertain directly to the topic • Topic is communicated clearly but not completely, and most or all aspects of the assignment are addressed |
Points Range:28.12 (28.12%) - 30 (30%) • Uses logical structure with introduction, body, and conclusion • Sophisticated development of one idea to another, and reader is guided through the progression of ideas • Clearly communicated topic, and all aspects of assignment are addressed |
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APA Style (citations, references, formatting) |
Points Range:0 (0%) - 11.5 (11.5%) • Does not use in-text citations or reference credible sources to support ideas • Does not apply APA document formatting |
Points Range:11.5 (11.5%) - 15.25 (15.25%) • Attempts to use in-text citations and reference credible sources to support ideas • Does not apply APA document formatting consistently but some attempt is made with some errors |
Points Range:15.25 (15.25%) - 18.75 (18.75%) • Almost always uses in-text citations and references credible sources to support ideas • Consistently applies APA document formatting but may include a few errors |
Points Range:18.75 (18.75%) - 20 (20%) • Always uses in-text citations and references credible sources to support ideas • Flawlessly uses APA document formatting with minor errors |