Critiques are evaluated on the basis of their style, their coverage of the topic, and their use of logic and creativity in fashioning an answer

This rubric is designed to give students guidance about what is expected of them in terms of how the essay assignments are evaluated. The numbers will also be used as a “short-hand” method to make comments on your essays. In order to receive a grade in the "A" range, all criteria must be met with at least a "3" and two of the last three criteria must receive a "4". In order to receive a grade in the "B" range, at least five of the six criteria must be met with at least a "3" and those must include citations, sources, and coverage. Any essay with one or more of the criteria met with a "1" is likely to receive a grade of "D" or "F."

	Excellent (4)	Good (3)	Mediocre (2)	Very Poor (1)
Writing Style	The essay is well written in clear and grammatically correct English with correct word usage. Sentences are well written and flow logically.	The essay is, for the most part, well written in clear and grammatically correct English.	The essay has a significant number of grammatical errors and/or incorrect word choice.	The essay is poorly written and hard to understand with many grammatical errors and misused words.
Citations - Note that improperly cited papers will be returned for correction with grade deduction.	All appropriate material is cited (i.e. quotations, facts which are not common knowledge, ideas which are not your own) and citations have all the appropriate information including page numbers	Most appropriate material is cited and citations have all the appropriate information including page numbers.	Most appropriate material is cited but some is not. Citations may not all have the appropriate information.	Much of the appropriate material is not cited and citations may not include all the appropriate information.
Sources	The essay uses and cites all of the relevant optional readings on the reading list and required ones as well. At least five of the sources are used to a considerable extent.	The essay uses and cites at least five of the relevant optional readings on the reading list. At least three of the sources are used to a considerable extent.	The essay uses fewer than five of the relevant optional readings from the reading list or uses only one or two to any significant extent.	The essay uses fewer than four of the relevant optional readings from the reading list or uses only one to any significant extent.
Coverage	The essay deals with all major aspects of the essay question.	The essay deals with most of the major aspects of the essay question.	The essay omits some of the major aspects of the question and/or demonstrates incomplete or superficial understanding of the arguments in the sources.	The essay covers the question superficially and/or demonstrates little understanding of the arguments in the sources.
Logic	Your analysis flows in a clear, identifiable and correct manner from the material in your sources.	Your analysis derives in an identifiable manner from your sources.	Your analysis does not seem to come from your sources in any identifiable manner	You perform little or no analysis of the material you derived from your sources
Creativity	Your analysis of the problem/issue is thoughtful and original.	Your analysis of the problem/issue displays some element of originality.	Your analysis of the problem/issue is conventional and superficial.	You have performed little or no analysis of the problem/issue.