Sample Rubric Project: Cookies! by John Eugene

1 - Chocolate Chip

jeugene1 — 2021-10-04 15:18:56 UTC

There's no arguing with this one -- it's the definitive, classic cookie and whether you love it or hate it, it's definitely a cookie.

0 - Veggie "Cookies"

jeugene1 — 2021-10-04 15:21:08 UTC

Nope. You can call it a "cookie," but just like a "thesis" that only restates the prompt, we can tell that this only looks like a cookie. Hard pass.

4 - S'mores Cookies!

jeugene1 — 2021-10-04 15:27:02 UTC

Cookie lovers rejoice! Somebody took the cookie and uncovered it's true potential. While staying true to the spirit of the cookie, the s'mores cookie creates a truly fulfilling desert experience by using TWO cookies (!!!) to hold all the gooey, melted goodness that is toasted marshmallow and softened chocolate (semi-dark preferred). Just like an essay that develops a unique and original argument through well-developed commentary and insightfully selected evidence, this cookie leaves the cookie lover wondering what else they could possibly ask for.

3 - M&M Cookies

jeugene1 — 2021-10-04 15:30:38 UTC

These are really, really good. There's nothing unexpectedly amazing here, but adding the satisfying crunch and classic chocolate taste of M&M's is an awesome way to develop the basic idea of the chocolate chip cookie. Just like an essay that moves beyond its thesis to offer satisfying and well-suited commentary, this cookie isn't the end-all-be-all, but it doesn't give you anything to complain about, either.

2 - Pre-made Sugar Cookies

jeugene1 — 2021-10-04 15:35:17 UTC

Well, it's a cookie. And it took some effort to make. But it's pretty boring, if we're being honest, and the little attempts to try to convince us we're going to love it can't distract us from what our taste buds are telling us. Just like an essay that uses smart-sounding words and repetitive evidence instead of actually discussing an idea that matters, this cookie is just going through the motions.

1 - No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

jeugene1 — 2021-10-04 16:14:28 UTC

This is cookie-esque, but let's be honest: it's less than a cookie. Some other things might be able to become a cookie without baking, but not peanut butter. If you don't bake it, then it doesn't matter what you've added to it -- it's still just peanut butter. Like these cookies, an essay in this category might have a thesis and a couple of things that look like paragraphs, but the commentary and evidence -- anything that would result in a true essay -- are simply lacking.

0 - Total Cookie Fail

jeugene1 — 2021-10-04 16:23:38 UTC

It might be made of the right ingredients, but something went wrong along the way. Very wrong. At this point, intentions aside, we're not even sure if this is really a cookie. An essay in this category isn't just "bad" or underdeveloped -- the end product isn't even an actual essay.

1 - Airbrushed Cookies

jeugene1 — 2021-10-04 16:28:49 UTC

Look, not everybody can make something you really want to eat into something so beautiful that you no longer want to eat it. And most essays -- even very effective ones -- don't reach true sophistication. But when it happens, it's a whole next level of enjoyment.

0 - Vanilla Sandwich Cookies

jeugene1 — 2021-10-04 16:31:40 UTC

You're usually not going to say no to these cookies and sometimes they're exactly what you want. But they're never going to do much more than satisfy the random sugar craving that just hit you. Now, you know you could take this cookie and re-create it at home in a way that maximizes its potential and, with a few artistic touches, could make you Pinterest-famous. But sometimes, like the writer of an unsophisticated essay, you've just got to say, "Who's got time for that?" Sometimes good enough is just good enough.