Rubric for Essay Assessment
Total Points: 25
Needs
Excellent (5 Good (4 Satisfactory
Criteria Improvement Poor (1 point)
points) points) (3 points)
(2 points)
Clearly
defines Includes
Provides a
economic some
clear Incomplete or
crime, definition
definition unclear
includes and No clear definition,
Introduction and definition and
etymological etymology etymology, or thesis.
etymology etymology;
origins, and but lacks
with a basic weak thesis.
provides a clarity or
thesis.
compelling thesis.
thesis.
Thoroughly
explains the
Provides a Covers Provides
historical
good historical limited Fails to address
evolution of
Historical explanation context but historical historical context or
economic
Context with relevant lacks depth context with provides incorrect
crime with
historical or sufficient vague or information.
well-
examples. examples. unclear details.
supported
details.
Discusses
multiple Explains key
Covers some Mentions
theories with theories with Does not address
Theories of theories but theories with
clear minimal theories or provides
Economic lacks depth little
explanations, analysis or inaccurate/incomplete
Crime or clarity in explanation or
analysis, and fewer information.
explanation. analysis.
relevant examples.
examples.
Essay is well- Some
Mostly Poor
organized, organization
organized organization; Lacks clear
with logical but with
with minor ideas are organization;
Organization flow between noticeable
lapses in scattered and introduction, body, or
introduction, issues in
flow or lack logical conclusion is missing.
body, and coherence or
structure. progression.
conclusion. transitions.
Conclusion Summarizes Summarizes Provides a Weak Conclusion is missing
key points main points basic summary; does or unrelated to the
effectively but lacks summary but not reflect key content of the essay.
and provides depth or misses key points
thoughtful insights. ideas or effectively.
Needs
Excellent (5 Good (4 Satisfactory
Criteria Improvement Poor (1 point)
points) points) (3 points)
(2 points)
insights or
insights.
implications.
Integrates
Includes
credible Uses
some sources Few or poorly
sources credible
Use of but lacks cited sources; No sources used, or
effectively sources with
Sources and credibility or lacks citations are missing
with proper minor
Citations proper integration into or entirely incorrect.
citation citation
citation the essay.
format (APA, errors.
format.
MLA, etc.).
Free of
Minimal
grammatical, Several
grammatical Frequent errors Numerous errors that
Grammar spelling, and errors that
or spelling that make the severely impact
and punctuation slightly
errors that do essay difficult readability and
Mechanics errors; interfere with
not affect to read. professionalism.
polished and readability.
readability.
professional.
Scoring
23–25 points: Outstanding; demonstrates deep understanding and excellent writing skills.
20–22 points: Very good; meets most expectations with minor weaknesses.
17–19 points: Satisfactory; covers the basics but lacks depth or polish.
14–16 points: Needs improvement; demonstrates limited understanding or effort.
Below 14 points: Poor; does not meet the objectives or address key elements.
