| Not Evident | Needs Substantial Improvement | Needs Some Improvement | Meets Expectations | Exceeds Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lacks thesis or thesis is missing
No attempt at argumentation Shows little or no logical organization Does not answer / match / address prompt |
Attempts thesis statement
Undeveloped thesis statement; thesis is a fact or question, or is too narrow or too broad to properly address topic Attempts organization, but lacks paragraph cohesion or transitions between thoughts Organization of ideas may fail to support initial thesis |
Proper thesis statement present
Thesis may feel “dropped in” at end of introduction but still manages to create a cohesive argument Ideas separated into paragraphs which support thesis, but presentation of ideas feels formulaic or fails to move beyond basic five-paragraph theme |
Clear thesis statement which uses key words or ideas related to topic
Introduction effectively leads to thesis statement Individual paragraphs all work to reinforce one or more aspects of thesis statement Transitions between ideas are seamless and effortless Conclusion references introduction without simply restating it |
Strong, unique thesis statement which engages the topic and consistently controls the argument throughout the paper
Paragraph containing thesis is a controlled presentation of information that leads to clear statement of rhetorical purpose and argument Paper is cohesive, and no paragraphs feel “out of place” Conclusion moves beyond introduction and offers a new or final thought |
| Not Evident | Needs Substantial Improvement | Needs Some Improvement | Meets Expectations | Exceeds Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does not address the audience as described in the prompt
Does not consider what the audience may or may not know about this subject May use only opinionated, inflammatory, or other insulting language to persuade the audience Writer is composing for her or him self without considering any audience |
May show some awareness of audience through context and tone
May address only part of an audience or readership, creating an unbalanced argument |
Attempts to address the audience but may not always be successful
May sometimes use tone that is not appropriate for the audience May neglect to contextualize or explain evidence to an audience unfamiliar with the information |
Shows an understanding of the audience by considering the knowledge and attitude of readers toward the subject
Uses a tone appropriate for the audience |
Shows a nuanced understanding of the variety of audiences, addressing different readers in the same composition
May use persuasive rhetorical techniques crafted for particular readers, especially those who may be hostile to or indifferent to the subject |
| Not Evident | Needs Substantial Improvement | Needs Some Improvement | Meets Expectations | Exceeds Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shows no evidence of proofreading
Has numerous significant errors that affect understanding of the text Has systemic problems with phrasing and word choice Does not meet the minimum requirements in length or format |
Shows little evidence of proofreading
Has numerous errors that affect understanding of most of the text Has significant issues with awkward phrasing and word choice May not meet the minimum requirements in length or format |
May have some careless errors
Has some issues with conventions and mechanics, such as agreement, fragments, and run-on sentences that impede understanding May have some issues with awkward phrasing and word choice Meets the minimum requirements in length and format |
Shows an effort to proofread
May have some errors but do not interfere greatly with the text’s meaning May have a few problems with word choice and phrasing but the draft is clearly written Meets the minimum requirements in length and format |
Shows evidence of careful proofreading
Is generally clear of grammatical errors Shows an elevated understanding of phrasing and word choice Meets (and may exceed) the minimum requirements in length and format |
| Not Evident | Needs Substantial Improvement | Needs Some Improvement | Meets Expectations | Exceeds Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does not use research to support ideas
Does not include research from the proper number of primary and/or secondary sources Does not summarize or quote sources according to appropriate documentation style Does not include a works cited page; or, includes a works cited page with prohibitive errors Plagiarizes |
Attempts to use research to support author’s ideas, but support is often irrelevant to the author’s ideas
Mentions research from some primary/secondary sources, but sources are overall not appropriate for a scholarly essay Quotes or summarizes sources excessively so that the reader loses author’s voice Needs more quoting or summarizing of sources to support author’s ideas Documents sources inconsistently Includes a works cited page with numerous errors |
Uses quotes and/or summaries from research to generally support author’s ideas, but some support lacks connection to author’s ideas
Uses research from proper number of primary and/or secondary sources, but includes a source that is not appropriate for a scholarly essay Shows evidence of using the appropriate documentation style to quote or summarize sources Presents a works cited page that corresponds with sources in essay, but it has a few conspicuous errors |
Convincingly uses research to support author’s ideas
Uses research from proper number of primary and/or secondary sources, and all sources are appropriate for a scholarly essay Uses the proper documentation style throughout to quote or summarize sources with few errors Lists all sources in a works cited page that is mostly formatted correctly |
Uses thorough and relevant research to develop and enhance the strength of the author’s argument
Uses research from proper number of primary and/or secondary sources and includes sources that show superior research skills Consistently uses the proper documentation style to quote or summarize sources while also varying the techniques of integrating the source material Includes a works cited page that has very few minor errors, if any |
| Not Evident | Needs Substantial Improvement | Needs Some Improvement | Meets Expectations | Exceeds Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Has an overly superficial argument
Has no specific awareness of the context and complexity of the issue Uses a reasoning that is completely undermined by logical fallacies; what is presented as evidence is inappropriate and inadequate Has a bias that prohibits competent analysis of counter-arguments or objections |
Has a thesis that is unclear or its significance is not supported
Explores an issue’s context and complexity superficially Uses fallacies where the evidence may be inappropriate and/or biased, and the conclusion does not obviously follow Creates counter-arguments and objections that are “straw persons” Shows a bias on the part of the author, acknowledged or otherwise, that is blatant |
Has a thesis or claim is clearly stated
Provides some background and context for the issue, but may not explain and/or explore it fully Demonstrates a fallacy or two, the evidence may be inadequate, and the argument may be confused / confusing Raises counter-arguments and objections but may dismiss them too easily or not explore them deeply Shows some bias on the part of the author that may be apparent and problematic |
Has a thesis or claim that is arguable
Examines the complexity of the subject, addressing the context and significance of the issue Has a sound reasoning that is based on a variety of evidential sources, and the reader can easily follow the argument Considers counter-arguments and objections, and synthesizes different points of view Acknowledges and addresses any biases on the part of the author |
Has a thesis or claim that is arguable / verifiable / testable and demonstrates a deep awareness of the complexity of the subject
Makes clear the context and significance of the issue Uses sound reasoning that is based on relevant, credible evidence, some of which may be used creatively to illuminate the subject even further Has transitions that are artful and logical Explores possible counter-arguments, objections, and any additional considerations sufficiently and thoroughly; Avoids bias and considers all pertinent facts fully |
