Essay

JURI 600

Essay Grading Rubric

Criteria

Levels of Achievement

Content

(70%)

Advanced

92-100%

Proficient

84-91%

Developing

1-83%

Not Present

Issue Statement

11.5 to 12.5 points:

Clearly captures the very essence of the issue, skillfully incorporates all relevant elements of the issue, and lays the foundation for flawless analysis.

10.5 to 11 points:

Accurate, well-stated, concise, firm basis for analysis.

1 to 10 points:

Promising, but slightly off point; may ramble; may make assumptions. Unclear with possible vague terms. Provides little basis for later analysis.

0 points

Not present

Rule Statement

36.5 to 40 points:

Flawless statement of the black letter law. Includes relevant and novel laws.

33.5 to 36 points:

Accurate, well-stated, relevant, and inclusive of all rules referred to in the analysis.

1 to 33 points:

Accurate, well-stated, may include some extra rules or not include some novel rules. Only includes key rules, some rules misstated.

0 points

Not present

Analysis

36.5 to 40 points:

Skillfully incorporates law into a smooth and inevitable flow of inarguable logic, no gaps in logical flow.

33.5 to 36 points:

Thoughtful exploration of the issue, alternatives appropriately explored, every relevant element explored.

1 to 33 points:

Explores main points of rules, may get slightly off point, obvious alternatives explored, and clear reasoning. Main points of rules explored but slightly off point, alternatives poorly explored, and some reasoning hard to follow.

0 points

Not present

Conclusion

11.5 to 12.5 points:

Concise, accurately sums up discussion, and identifies thoughtful insights into the application of the rule to the issue.

10.5 to 11 points:

Straightforward answer to the question presented in the issue.

1 to 10 points:

May restate the obvious or include needless information. Redundant, introduces new information, or is too short or too long.

0 points

Not present

Structure (30%)

Advanced

92-100%

Proficient

84-91%

Developing

1-83%

Not Present

Formatting and Length

20.5 to 22.5 points:

Meets current Bluebook formatting and is 3–5 pages. Includes at least 3 references in addition to the course textbook and Bible.

19 to 20 points:

Mostly meets Bluebook formatting; contains 3–5 pages of content and includes at least 2 references in addition to the course textbook and Bible.

1 to 18.5 points:

Does not entirely meet Bluebook formatting. Contains 2 pages of content and includes at least 1 reference in addition to the course textbook and Bible.

0 points

Not present

Organization and Style

20.5 to 22.5 points:

Spelling and grammar are correct. Sentences are complete, clear, and concise. Paragraphs contain appropriately varied sentence structures and transitions.

19 to 20 points:

Spelling and grammar has some errors. Most sentences are complete, clear, and concise. Paragraphs contain some varied sentence structures and transitions.

1 to 18.5 points:

Spelling and grammar errors distract. Sentences are incomplete or unclear. Paragraphs are poorly formed and lack transitions.

0 points

Not present