 | Has a distinctive voice and point of view appropriate to
subject and audience |
| Exhibits consistently sound logic |
| Is unified throughout (Every detail in the "A" essay
supports and develops the thesis.) |
| Uses an abundance of convincing and relevant detail to
support the topic sentences in the paragraphs |
| Uses complex ideas and shows evidence of analysis,
synthesis, and evaluation (The writer of the "A" essay clearly understands the
ideas she discusses and conveys that understanding. ) |
| Shows an awareness of its author's assumptions |
| Takes into account alternate points of view in dealing
with the complexities of its topic |
| Fully develops the implications and consequences of its
thesis. |
| Uses a variety of sentence structures (simple, compound,
and complex sentences) to show the relationship between ideas |
| Contains virtually no mechanical or grammatical errors |
| Documents sources according to a recognized academic
format (e.g. MLA or APA) |
| Has a compelling introduction and conclusion |
| Exhibits generally sound logic, careful thought, and
engagement with its subject |
| Is well developed (Uses more than just sufficient
evidence to develop paragraphs) |
| Has strong paragraph transitions that clarify the
connections between ideas and make explicit the organization of the essay's
argument |
| Locates opinion or experience in a relevant context |
| Shows some awareness of the writer's own assumptions |
| Shows some understanding of the connection among sources
and competing claims |
| Points toward consequences and implications of thesis |
| Uses a precise and vivid vocabulary and clear sentences |
| Is free of serious mechanical and grammatical errors
(e.g. run-on and comma splice sentences, sentence fragments) |
| Uses sources accurately and appropriately |
| Fulfills all requirements of the assignment |
| Addresses the essay topic assigned. If you have proposed
your own topic, it is sufficiently narrowed and focused to be discussed within
the assigned length. |
| Has an introductory paragraph, several body paragraphs,
and a concluding paragraph |
| Has a clearly stated thesis or purpose that controls the
whole essay |
| Demonstrates orderly thinking in organization of essay |
| Contains unified body paragraphs, all of which begin
with topic sentences that develop and support the thesis |
| Develops, supports, and clarifies the thesis throughout
with relevant evidence and examples, statistics, testimony, or arguments |
| Demonstrates connections between ideas--within and
between paragraphs |
| Inferences are generally sound |
| Accurately represents source material |
| Uses clear sentences, correct grammar and mechanics, and
language that is appropriate for the audience and occasion |
| Demonstrates understanding conventions for quotation,
parenthetical documentation and work cited list when using outside sources |
| Fulfills all or nearly all requirements of the
assignment |
| Lacks focus--thesis is unclear or is not fully supported |
| Lacks organization--difficult to see connections between
topic sentences and thesis, paragraphs lack unity, progression of ideas
unclear or missing |
| Includes few, if any, appropriate supporting details and
examples |
| May demonstrate confusion about what is and is not
relevant to its argument |
| Shows only a minimal understanding of sources |
| Uses sentence structure and syntax that interfere with
understanding |
| Contains some major mechanical and grammatical errors as
well as many minor ones |
| Shows no evidence of revision, editing, or proofreading |
| Fails to meet major requirements of the assignments |