Dr Dean Taciuch
George Mason University
Fall 2024

Grading Rubric

 

Organization

Support

Rhetoric

Assignment
Requirements

Language

A

 

Strong organization at both the essay and paragraph levels. Creates a fluid reading experience

Strong thesis. Logical and wide-ranging supporting points

Strong rhetorical awareness: Engages the reader and anticipates audience questions and concerns

Meets or exceeds the assignment requirements

Language is clear, concise, and grammatically correct.

B

 

Well organized at the essay level; may have paragraph-level organizational issues

Clear focus. Demonstrates some insight into the "gray areas" of the topic.

Demonstrates good rhetorical awareness

Meets the assignment requirements

Some unclear sentences, but overall language is clear.

C

Good organization at the essay level; may have paragraph-level organizational issues

Good focus, may have some unclear supporting points

Responds to the rhetorical situation (audience, context, exigency)

Meets, to some degree, the assignment requirements

Some unclear or vague language

D

Lacks organization at the essay level

No thesis.
Lack of support

Demonstrates little rhetorical awareness

Meets some, but not all, of the assignment requirements

Unclear or confusing language may interfere with comprehension

F

Does not fulfill the requirements for the assignment.

An essay that meets all four categories will receive the listed grade, except for F-level. An essay that meets three categories will receive the listed grade, but as a minus. Meeting two will result in the lower grade, but as a +. For example, strong organization and thesis with good support (A-level qualities), but a lack of audience awareness and some grammar issues (B-level qualities) would be a B+.

Back to Course Policies