Essay Criteria Chart and Rubric for the Prompt:
“How Did Enlightenment Ideals Influence the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights with Respect to the American Revolution?”
Essay Requirements:
- Name and date at the top of the page.
- Length: 1-2 pages.
- Font: 12-point.
- Spacing: Single or double.
- Evidence and facts from class readings must support the thesis.
Criteria Chart
| Criteria | Description | Points Possible | Points Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction & Thesis | Provides a clear thesis statement that addresses how Enlightenment ideals influenced the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Links it to events leading up to the American Revolution. | 2 | |
| Content & Analysis | Discusses key Enlightenment thinkers (Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau) and how their ideas influenced American revolutionary thought and the creation of U.S. democracy. | 3 | |
| Historical Evidence & Facts | Uses specific events from the reading (e.g., taxes, Boston Tea Party, Declaration of Independence) to demonstrate how revolutionary events were tied to Enlightenment ideas. | 2 | |
| Organization & Structure | The essay is well-organized, with a logical flow of ideas. Transitions between paragraphs are smooth, and the argument builds cohesively. | 2 | |
| Grammar & Mechanics | The essay is free of significant grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Writing is clear and easy to understand. | 1 |
Total Points: 10
Rubric
| Score | Description |
|---|---|
| 10 points (Excellent) | The essay meets all requirements, provides a clear thesis, and thoroughly explains how Enlightenment ideals influenced the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, with solid connections to the American Revolution. Specific historical examples are used, and the writing is clear and well-organized with minimal errors. |
| 8-9 points (Proficient) | The essay addresses the question effectively and includes most key Enlightenment philosophers. It provides relevant historical evidence and is generally well-organized, with some minor issues in analysis or grammar. |
| 6-7 points (Basic) | The essay addresses some parts of the question but may be missing key analysis or historical events. It shows some understanding of the Enlightenment’s influence but may lack depth or be disorganized. |
| 4-5 points (Below Basic) | The essay struggles to answer the prompt or lacks a clear thesis. The connection between Enlightenment ideals and the American Revolution may be weak or unclear, with significant issues in organization and evidence. |
| 0-3 points (Unsatisfactory) | The essay does not meet basic requirements, lacks discussion of key Enlightenment ideas or historical evidence, or is incomplete. Significant grammatical or organizational errors interfere with understanding. |
Note to Students:
Make sure your essay ties together Enlightenment ideas such as natural rights, separation of powers, and popular sovereignty with specific historical events (like the Stamp Act, Boston Tea Party, or Declaration of Independence)