MEL
Paragraph Rubric
Main
Ideas
5
4
3
2 1
Writer has focused on
one issue related to the assignment. Topic sentence is clear and well stated.
Focus is somewhat
vague; topic sentence could be worded better, but there is a
topic sentence
Focus is unclear; what
are you trying to prove here? Topic sentence is
not evident.
Evidence
15
12
9
6 3
Ample evidence is
given to support topic statement. Examples are specific and
explained in detail.
Evidence is somewhat
vague and not specific enough or evidence is not closely related to
the subject.
Evidence is basically
opinion, no specific evidence described or evidence described is
unrelated.
Links
15
12
9
6 3
Paragraph contains a
statement after each
piece of evidence that clearly links information to the topic sentence,
explains how
the evidence fits
Statement after each
piece of evidence is related to the information in the topic sentence but not
clearly linked.
Links are missing
throughout the paragraph, only evidence; no real explanation of how the
evidence supports main
idea
Language
5
4
3
2 1
Writer uses
appropriate
vocabulary, phrasing, etc. throughout the paragraph including
applicable terms
Writer uses decent
language, wording, phrasing; some appropriate
terminology
Writer uses very
simple language; basic phrasing or wording; some misused terms or no
technical terms at all
Transitions
5
4
3
2 1
Writer uses clear and
sensible transitions between each piece of
evidence.
Writer uses some good
transitions although they are somewhat
typical.
Writer does not use
clear transitions; paragraph is disorganized as a result,
hard to follow
Concluding
Statement
5
4
3
2 1
Writer uses a final
statement that "wraps up" the paragraph, refers back to the main idea
Writer uses a
concluding statement that sort of wraps up the paragraph; could be stronger,
but okay
Writer fails to
conclude the paragraph with a final statement to "wrap it up"