Compare/Contrast Essay Rubric
- Is the essay interesting?! Does the writer seem interested in his/her subject? Are you interested in the subject? Is the essay fresh, new, and original?
- Is the subject of the essay something that has been written about too many times in the past, and therefore not worthy of addressing again? (Unless, of course, there is a new and creative angle to what may be perceived as a tiresome subject.)
- Does the essay have an excellent introduction that clearly establishes what will be compared and contrasted? Is there a strong thesis? If the writer is comparing and contrasting literary works, are the author names (only last name is needed after the introductory paragraph) and titles of the texts included in the opening paragraph? Titles of essays and poems should be within quotation marks. Titles of longer works, such as books, should be either italicized or underlined.
- Is the essay well structured and organized? Are there a sufficient number of apt (appropriate) examples? Similarities? Differences?
- Does the essay digress? Are there sections that could be cut?
- What information needs to be added to the essay?
- If the writer is comparing and contrasting literary texts, does she/he include quotations (small ones are sufficient) with parenthetical page numbers to support points being made in the essay?
- Are there excellent transitions throughout?
- Does the essay make you think? Do you learn anything new? Does the essay excite you?
- Does the writing flow? Are paragraphs used appropriately? Is there variety in sentence structure? Is there consistency in tense throughout?
- What mistakes in grammar and mechanics can you point out?
- Do you have any questions for the writer?
- Is MLA format correct throughout?
