Great Depression Essay Rubric

Remember! A successful essay will:

Engage all of the events outlined in the flowmap of cause and effect that
were highlighted in the skits, and how they related to each other
Clearly use the sources provided by drawing on specific examples
Demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of the catastrophe
Be no less than a page and a half long, double spaced, size twelve font

4-Exemplary 3-Accomplished 2-Developing 1-Beginning
Introduction
Paragraph
(Hook, Thesis
Statement)
The introduction
paragraph introduces the
topic in an engaging way
and ends with a strong
thesis statement that
clearly outlines the
flowmap of cause and
effect.
The introduction
paragraph introduces the
topic and ends with a
thesis statement that
clearly outlines the
flowmap of cause and
effect.
The introduction
paragraph introduces the
topic and ends with a
thesis statement that
begins to outline the
flowmap of cause and
effect but needs more
development.
The introduction
paragraph is missing
many of the elements
including clarity on the
topic being outlined
and a thesis statement..
Body
Paragraphs
All body paragraphs have
strong evidence to
support claims made and
link to thesis; fully
engages with the text and
skits and illustrates strong
understanding of the
complexities of the
catastrophe by showing
how each cause connects
All body paragraphs
have evidence to support
claims made and link to
thesis; Engages with the
text and skits and
illustrates understanding
of the complexities of
the catastrophe by
showing how each cause
connects
Body paragraphs have
some evidence to support
claims made and link to
thesis; Begins to engages
with the text and skits;
does not illustrate
understanding of the
complexities of the
catastrophe- does not
connect causes to each
other.
Body paragraphs lack
structure, with no
transitions and little or
no connection to clear
topic, and/or claims, or
evidence to back
thesis.
Concluding
Paragraph
The concluding
paragraph restates thesis
in new words,
summarizes claims and
goes above and beyond to
connect the topic to
modern day (Why should
we care?).
The concluding
paragraph restates thesis
in new words,
summarizes claims,, and
connects the topic to
modern day (Why
should we care?)
The concluding
paragraph restates thesis
but may not use new
words, summarizes some
claims but needs further
detail. Does not connect
to modern times.
The concluding
paragraph may hint at
the thesis but does
contain clear
connections to the
topic.
Formatting Paper is typed, size 12
font double spaced,
exceeds 1 pages and
has a creative title.
Paper is typed, size 12
font double spaced, is
at least 1 pages and
has a title.
Some of the paper is
typed but not complete;
other elements of the
formatting are missing
The paper is lacking
much or all of the
formatting required to
consider the
assignment complete
Spelling and
Grammar
(Conventions)
The essay is free from
most spelling and
grammar errors.
Only a few spelling
and/or grammar errors
remain.
The spelling and/or
grammar errors begin to
be a distraction from the
clarity of the writing.
Many spelling and/or
grammar errors that
can distract or confuse
the reader.