Scottsboro Boys Essay Rubric

HISTORICAL CONTENT AND UNDERSTANDING  0 - 16
16 - Demonstrates a clear and sophisticated understanding of the historical time period and the cause and effect relationship between significant events; accurately discusses the Powell and Norris cases, carefully analyzing direct quotation from the opinions; discusses and analyzes direct evidence from Scottsboro an American Tragedy, Without Fear or Favor; uses content area vocabulary and illustrates a sophisticated understanding of the Constitution and Bill or Rights.  

ORGANIZATION 0 - 4

4 - Writer creates a well-organized essay.  Arguments and analysis are sequenced logically to support the claim. Writer makes effective use of transitions to link all parts of the essay.

CLAIM AND CONTEXT 0 - 4 

4 - Writer’s claim provides a precise, nuanced interpretation of the sources that is grounded in multiple perspectives, historical, political, and/or social scientific context.

   - The introduction engages the reader and persuasively lays foundation for a passionate argument.  It identifies topic of the essay and provides ample contextual information that builds the readers’ understanding of the claim.
   - The conclusion continues and strengthens the claim.  It highlights significance, expands insight and makes recommendations for future action.  

EVIDENCE, ANALYSIS, AND COUNTER-CLAIM 0 - 4 

4 - Writer develops claim thoughtfully and persuasively using numerous relevant, convincing pieces of evidence from both secondary and primary sources (including direct quotation), and statistical/numerical data.

   - Writer cities specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.

   - Writer includes statistical data as part of the evidence to bolster claims and/or devalue counterclaims

   - Writer provides insightful, thorough analysis of the evidence to support the claim, using the following critical reading strategies:

Explanation of what the text says directly as well as analysis of meanings that are implied, hidden, hinted at, or left ambiguous in the text.

Analysis of how the authors’ word choices impact the biases of the sources.  Writer considers and discusses bias of authors when analyzing evidence.

Evaluates the claims, premises, and evidence in both primary and secondary sources in order to challenge counter arguments and bolster initial claim.      

STYLE AND CONVENTIONS  0 - 4 

4 - Writer uses a range of precise and varied vocabulary to elaborate or clarify ideas. 

   - Demonstrates command of the conventions of capitalization, punctuation (extends to hyphenation), and spelling consistently throughout the text.  

 - Mechanical and grammatical errors are rare or nonexistent.

 - Writer follows accepted conventions for formatting text citations such as MLA standards, footnotes, and parenthetical notes.