DBQ Essay Evaluation Rubric - Scoring Range 4 - 1

The 4 Essay:   (100 - 90)
  • features an introductory paragraph that includes a restatement of the question, a definition of terms (where appropriate), a thesis, and a roadmap that introduces the analytical categories to be developed.
  • is clearly organized with body paragraphs arranged in the order of the roadmap.
  • contains a clear baby thesis for each body paragraph.
  • uses a reasonable number of documents and includes document citation.
  • provides evidence from the documents that supports the claim of the baby thesis.
  • demonstrates analytical skills such as seeing close detail, synthesis, finding inconsistencies, questioning author bias, and making judgements.
  • provides an argument or warrant in each body paragraph that addresses the baby thesis.
  • concludes with a paragraph that clinches the argument with a succinct summary and/or fresh wrinkle.
  • is well-written with few or no errors in sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
The 3 Essay:   (89 - 80)
  • features an introductory paragraph that includes a restatement of the question, a definition of terms (where appropriate), a thesis, and a roadmap that introduces the analytical categories to be developed.
  • is clearly organized with body paragraphs arranged in the order of the roadmap.
  • contains a clear baby thesis for each body paragraph.
  • incorporates a reasonable number of the documents but may not always include citations.
  • accurately interprets most, but not all, documents cited.
  • in most body paragraphs, includes an argument that ties the evidence to the baby thesis.
  • concludes with a paragraph that restates the thesis and may summarize the argument.
  • is quite will-written, but includes some errors in grammar and spelling.
The 2 Essay:   (79 - 70)
  • addresses the question, but lacks some focus.
  • has a functional introductory paragraph containing a stated or recognizable thesis and roadmap.
  • has a recognizable organization with main ideas divided into paragraphs; body paragraphs may not be in the same order as the roadmap.
  • contains reference to several documents, but there could easily be more.
  • contains some effort at document analysis.
  • often lacks a warrant; does not clearly explain how evidence answers the question.
  • has some sort of concluding paragraph; may be unnecessarily repetitative.
  • is generally written with complete sentences, but contains too many errors in verb tense, agreement, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization.
The 1 Essay:   (Below 70 - re-write required - no essay accepted below 70)
  • is inadequate in addressing or identifying the question.
  • is often lacking a clear thesis, stated or implied.
  • has unclear organization; including no roadmap, or body paragraphs that do not follow in an order suggested by the roadmap.
  • makes reference to few documents; citations are missing; documents are often misunderstood.
  • the warrant in each body paragraph is missing.
  • contains serious errors in sencence structure and mechanics.