English 111
Rubric, PAPER ONE

Student’s name: _________________________________________

FIRST PARAGRAPH:
Articulation of the problem -- the question -- on which the paper focuses (7)
Inclusion of background information (a few sentences) (7)
Explanation of why this issue is problematic (7)
Explanation of why this issue is worth pursuing (significance) (7)
First paragraph length (too long? too short?) (7)
Balance of both sides of issue in first paragraph (7)

BODY PARAGRAPHS:
The essay is at least four paragraphs long (including first) (2)
Balanced attention to both sides of issue (7)
Transition between paragraphs (7)
Paper length (2)

GRAMMAR:
Comma-splices (3)
Other run-on sentences (3)
Passive voice (3)
Subject-verb agreement (3)
Spelling and word-choice (3)
Overall clarity of sentences (7)

PAPER TONE:
Tone is suitable for college writing (4)
Tone is consistence throughout paper (4)

MLA FORMAT:
The paper follows MLA format guidelines, on micro and macro levels (10)

TOTAL POINTS RECEIVED (our of 100 possible):