Rubric for Grading Answers on an Essay Exam

Missing or Serious Points

Criteria Below Expectations Meets Expectations Excellent Work
Problems Earned
& Points Assigned
0 1 2 3
Answer is complete;
Answer is incomplete. Answer is brief with sufficient detail
Excessive discussion of insufficient detail. provided to support
Relevance of answer The essay did not
unrelated issues and/or Unrelated issues were assertions; answer
to the question answer the question
significant errors in introduced and/or focuses only on issues
content minor errors in content. related to the question;
factually correct
Most of the basic
Thoroughness of None of the relevant Serious gaps in the Deals fully with the
details are included but
answer details were included basic details needed entire question
some are missing
Clear and logical
Minor problems of
presentation; good
Weak organization; organization or logic;
Organization and development of an
sentences rambling; Needs work on creating
logic of answer argument; Transitions
ideas are repeated transitions between
are made clearly and
ideas
smoothly
Major problems with
Frequent problems with
mechanics of language; Clear, readable, prose.
Mechanics of writing mechanics of language;
Awkward sentence Good use of transitions;
(spelling, punctuation, Occasional awkward
construction; Poor or no problems with
grammar, clarity of sentences and poor
absent transitions; spelling, punctuation,
prose) transitions; reduce
Frequently difficult to or grammar.
readability
understand

TOTAL POINTS (10 possible)

Claudia Stanny
Director
Center for University Teaching, Learning, and Assessment University of West Florida