General Rubric for an answer to an Essential Question: ©S. Ingraham: lightshedder.com

Proficient:

• you answer the question: you clearly say (or show) what you think (your opinions, conclusions, or theories)
  
• you give good reasons for what you think, based on the works we are studying and producing and/or class discussions. Each opinion or conclusion or each part of your theory is supported by enough references...examples, quotations, summaries, or visuals...each with a clear connection to the point you are trying to make, to make your point
  
• if you had a choice in form, the form your answer takes “works.” It does not get in the way of what you are trying to say
  
• your work has been revised for content (what you say) and style (how you say it). Your answer is well organized, the supporting details are well chosen, what you say is clear and easy to understand, and the words you choose are effective and do not get in the way of the reader’s understanding. Any visuals are well produced.
  
• the written part has no mechanical (punctuation and spelling) errors, and the written and oral parts have no usage (sentence structure and agreement) errors, that make it difficult to understand what you are trying to say
  
• your product is completed on time
  

Distinguished

• this is your best thinking and most deeply held feelings on the subject. You draw connections between what we have been studying and your personal experience and beliefs. You tell or show how you might use your conclusions or ideas in your own life.
  
• your drafts are completed ahead of time, and the extra time is used for revision so that the piece is completed, ready for publication, on the due date
  
• your work is exceptionally well written or produced (would require no (or very little) revision or editing for publication)
  
• you build your argument out of examples and references so that the reader is lead to the same conclusions that you were. You use abundant references to what we have been studying to build a excellent case for your opinions, theories, or ideas....or the references you have chosen are particularly convincing.
  

and possibly one or more of the following:

• the form you chose really works...it contributes to the effectiveness of the product
  
• your opinion, conclusion, or theory is unique, original, creative, and/or particularly compelling
  
• you draw (if appropriate) on materials from related content courses
  

For many projects you will be able to choose one of several forms or formats for your answer: a formal essay (thesis, support, conclusion), a personal essay, a narrative, a poem or series of poems (with annotation...explanation...as needed), an annotated picture or collage, a story, a script, a dialog, a journal, a diary, letters (to friends, to the editor, etc.), a video presentation, a computerized multimedia presentation, or an audio presentation (or any other form that you feel will get the job done...talk to me)

Sometimes the format will be part of the assignment.