Exceptional

Skilled

Proficient

Developing

Inadequate

Claim

• The thesis should introduce a clear, argument that can be supported by reasons and evidence.
• Your thesis should be a fact/assertion thesis
• Your thesis has a clear audience and purpose.

5 points

5

The essay introduces a compelling thesis statement that is clearly arguable and takes a purposeful position on an issue.

The essay has a structure and organization that is carefully crafted to support the thesis.

4

The essay introduces a precise thesis that is clearly arguable and takes an identifiable position on an issue.

The essay has an effective structure and organization that is aligned with the thesis.

3

The essay introduces a thesis that is arguable and takes a position.

The essay has a structure and organization that is aligned with the thesis.

2

The essay contains an unclear or emerging thesis that suggests a vague position. The essay attempts a structure and organization to support the position.

1

The essay contains an unidentifiable thesis or vague position. The essay has limited structure and organization.

Format

• The introduction uses the ‘broad to specific’ format.
• The thesis is the last sentence in the intro.
• Topic Sentences are focused on supporting the thesis.
• Topic Sentences are arguments
• Each support paragraph uses evidence and analysis to support the claim made in the topic sentence.

5 points

5

The essay provides convincing and relevant examples and evidence to back up the thesis and effectively addresses support thesis. The conclusion strengthens the thesis and evidence.

4

The essay provides sufficient and relevant examples and evidence to back up the thesis and addresses support thesis fairly. The conclusion effectively reinforces the thesis and evidence.

3

The essay provides sufficient examples and evidence to back up the thesis and addresses support thesis. The conclusion ties to the thesis and evidence.

2

The essay provides examples and evidence that attempts to back up the thesis and unclearly addresses support thesis or lacks support thesis. The conclusion merely restates the position.

1

The essay contains limited examples and evidence related to the thesis and support thesis or lacks support thesis. The essay may fail to conclude the argument or position.

Audience

• The essay anticipates the audience's knowledge level and concerns about the thesis.
• The essay addresses the specific audience's needs.

5 points

5

The essay consistently addresses the audience's knowledge level and concerns about the thesis. The essay addresses the specific needs of the audience.

4

The essay anticipates the audience's knowledge level and concerns about the thesis. The essay addresses the specific needs of the audience.

3

The essay considers the audience's knowledge level and concerns about the thesis. The essay addresses the needs of the audience.

2

The essay illustrates an inconsistent awareness of the audience's knowledge level and needs.

1

The essay lacks an awareness of the audience's knowledge level and needs.

Cohesion

• The essay should present a logical thesis, evidence, and analysis to create an easy-to-read argument.
• The author uses effective transitional phrases to connect arguments  and create a cohesive text.

5 points

5

The essay strategically uses words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the essay. The essay explains the relationships between the thesis and reasons as well as the evidence. The essay strategically links the support thesis to the thesis.

4

The essay skillfully uses words phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the essay. The essay identifies the relationship between the thesis and reasons as well as the evidence. The essay effectively links the support thesis to the thesis.

3

The essay uses words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the essay. The essay connects the thesis and reasons. The essay links the support thesis to the thesis.

2

The essay contains limited words, phrases and clauses to link the major sections of the essay. The essay attempts to connect the thesis and reasons.

1

The essay contains few, if any, words, phrases and clauses to link the major sections of the essay. The essay does not connect the thesis and reasons.

Mechanics

• The essay uses formal language, grammar, capitalization,  and punctuation.
• Spell check was used
• Avoided banned words (All versions of I, me, you)

5 points

5

The essay  presents an engaging, formal and objective tone.

The essay intentionally uses standard English conventions of usage and mechanics.

4

The essay presents an appropriate and formal, objective tone. The essay demonstrates standard English conventions of usage and mechanics.

3

The essay presents a formal, objective tone. The essay demonstrates standard English conventions of usage and mechanics.

2

The essay illustrates a limited awareness of formal tone. The essay demonstrates some accuracy in standard English conventions of usage and mechanics.

1

The essay illustrates a limited awareness or inconsistent tone. The essay illustrates inaccuracy in standard English conventions of usage and mechanics.

Citations/Works Cited

Click here for proper works cited page format (MLA)

Click Here for proper in-text citation format (MLA)

5

Proper MLA format was used for in-text citations and works cited page.

Don’t cite procon.org; use their works cited to find the original source and cite that.

0

Failure to properly cite your sources and to provide a works cited page will result in a ZERO for the entire paper

0

Failure to properly cite your sources and to provide a works cited page will result in a ZERO for the entire paper

0

Failure to properly cite your sources and to provide a works cited page will result in a ZERO for the entire paper

0

Failure to properly cite your sources and to provide a works cited page will result in a ZERO for the entire paper