Mount Allison University
Sociology 1001
Sociology Essay Evaluation Rubric							
Criteria
	Beginning
	Developing
	Competent
	Accomplished 
	Exemplary		
Points	1	2	3	4	5	Points	

Title/
Introduction/
Thesis	Title doesn’t engage the reader or adequately explain the essay content. Weak introduction of topic. Thesis is poorly formed and lacks an arguable position.	Title isn’t clear or catchy. 
Adequate introduction that states the topic.
Thesis is somewhat clear and arguable.	Title is acceptable  and  informs the reader about the essay content.
Proficient introduction that states the topic. Thesis is clear and arguable statement of position.  	Title is  catchy and clearly informs the reader about the essay content.
Strong introduction that states the topic. 
Thesis is clear and arguable statement of position.  	Title is very catchy and clearly informs the reader about the essay content. Exceptional introduction that grabs the interest of the reader and states the topic. Thesis is exceptionally clear, arguable, well developed and a definitive statement		
Literature Review-
Summary and Presentation of author’s arguments	Literature Review section does not clearly and accurately present the work of researchers in the field. The stage is not set for the evidence and analysis sections. 	Literature Review section does not always clearly and accurately present the work of researchers in the field. The stage is not completely set up for the evidence and analysis sections. 	Literature Review section clearly and accurately presents the work of researchers in the field, setting the stage for the evidence and analysis.	Literature Review section very clearly and accurately presents the work of researchers in the field, setting the stage for the evidence and analysis.	Literature Review section  presents the work of researchers in the field, in an exceptionally clear and sophisticated manner, skillfully setting the stage for the evidence and analysis.		
Literature Review- Understanding of concepts and theories	Essay doesn’t show a clear understanding of the relevant sociological concepts and literature.	Essay doesn’t always reflect a clear understanding of the relevant sociological concepts and literature.	Essay shows a clear understanding of the relevant sociological concepts and literature.	Essay shows a very clear understanding of the relevant sociological concepts and literature.	Essay shows an advanced  understanding of the relevant sociological concepts and literature.		
Evidence and Examples	Limited information on topic with lack of research, details or sociologically relevant evidence.	Some aspects of the essay are researched with some sociologically relevant evidence from limited sources.	Essay is well researched in detail with accurate and sociologically relevant evidence from a variety of sources.	Essay is very well researched in detail with accurate and sociologically relevant evidence from a variety of sources.	Essay is exceptionally researched, extremely detailed and sociologically relevant with evidence from a wide variety of sources.		

Criteria
	Beginning
	Developing
	Competent
	Accomplished 
	Exemplary		
Points	1	2	3	4	5	Points	
Analysis	Limited logical connections made between evidence, literature review and thesis.	Some logical connections made between evidence, literature review and thesis.	Logical connections made between evidence, literature review and thesis. 	Relevant and logical connections made between evidence, literature review and thesis. 	Exceptionally  relevant and logical connections made between evidence, literature review and thesis.		
Sociological
Insights	Lacking in  sociological analysis.	Developing sociological analysis.	Good sociological analysis.	Strong  sociological analysis.	Excellent sociological analysis.		
Conclusion	Underdeveloped summary of the thesis lacking in  concluding comments that demonstrate a  sociological understanding of the social world.	Adequate summary of the thesis with  some concluding comments that demonstrate a  sociological understanding of the social world.	Good summary of the thesis with  concluding comments that demonstrate a  sociological understanding of the social world. 	Very good summary of the thesis with  concluding comments that demonstrate a  sociological understanding of the social world. 	Excellent summary of the thesis with concluding insights that demonstrate a sophisticated sociological understanding of the social world. 		
Essay writing skills 	Essay lacks  clear and logical development of ideas. Weak transition between paragraphs. 	Somewhat  clear and logical development of the ideas in this essay. Adequate transition between paragraphs. 	Well written essay with clear and logical development of the essay. Good transition between paragraphs. 	Very well written essay with clear and logical development of the essay. Good transition between paragraphs. 	Exceptionally well written essay with clear and logical development of the essay. Excellent transition between paragraphs. 		
Language Conventions
	Grammar, spelling and paragraphing errors throughout the essay.	Essay has some errors in grammar, spelling and paragraphing.	Essay is clear with mostly proper grammar, spelling and paragraphing.	Essay is very clear with mostly proper grammar, spelling and paragraphing.	Essay is very concise, clear with consistently proper grammar, spelling and paragraphing.		
References	Referencing and Citations were not accurate or extensive.	Referencing and Citations were not always accurate or extensive.	Referencing and Citations were accurate but not extensive.	Referencing and Citations were accurate and extensive.	Referencing and Citations were accurate and extensive.		

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50