CATEGORY 4 3
Introduction/ *exceptional
Thesis introduction that grabs
____ interest of reader and
states topic.
**thesis is exceptionally
clear, arguable, well-
developed, and a
definitive statement.
Quality of *paper is exceptionally
Information/ researched, extremely
Evidence detailed, and historically
____ accurate.
**information clearly
relates to the thesis.
Support of *exceptionally critical,
Thesis/Analysis relevant and consistent
____ connections made
between evidence and
thesis.
**excellent analysis.
Organization/ *exceptionally clear,
Development of logical, mature, and
Thesis thorough development of
____ thesis with excellent
transitions between and
within paragraphs.
Conclusion *excellent summary of
____ topic with concluding
ideas that impact reader.
**introduces no new
information.
Style/Voice *style and voice are not
____ only appropriate to the
given audience and
purpose, but also show
originality and creativity.
**word choice is
specific, purposeful,
dynamic and varied.
***sentences are clear,
active (subject-verb-
object), and to the point.
Grammar/Usage/ *control of grammar,
Mechanics usage, and mechanics.
____ **almost entirely free of
spelling, punctuation,
and grammatical errors.
2 1
*proficient *basic introduction *weak or no
introduction that is that states topic but introduction of
interesting and states lacks interest. topic.
topic. **thesis is somewhat **paper’s purpose
**thesis is clear and clear and arguable. is unclear/thesis is
arguable statement of weak or missing.
position.
*information relates *information relates *information has
to the main topic. to the main topic, few little or nothing to
**paper is well- details and/or do with the thesis.
researched in detail examples are given. **information has
and from a variety of **shows a limited weak or no
sources. variety of sources. connection to the
thesis.
*consistent *some connections *limited or no
connections made made between connections made
between evidence evidence and thesis. between evidence
and thesis **some analysis. and thesis.
**good analysis. **lack of analysis.
*clear and logical *somewhat clear and *lacks development
order that supports logical development of ideas with weak
thesis with good with basic transitions or no transitions
transitions between between and within between and within
and within paragraphs. paragraphs.
paragraphs.
*good summary of *basic summary of *lack of summary
topic with clear topic with some final of topic.
concluding ideas. concluding ideas.
**introduces no new **introduces no new
information. information.
*style and voice *style and voice *style and voice
appropriate to the somewhat appropriate inappropriate or do
given audience and to given audience and not address given
purpose. purpose. audience, purpose,
**word choice is **word choice is etc.
specific and often unspecific, **word choice is
purposeful, and generic, redundant, excessively
somewhat varied and clichéd. redundant, clichéd,
throughout. ***sentences are and unspecific.
***sentences are somewhat unclear; ***sentences are
mostly clear, active excessive use of very unclear.
(SVO), and to the passive voice.
point.
*may contain few *contains several *so many spelling,
spelling, punctuation, spelling, punctuation, punctuation, and
and grammar errors. and grammar errors grammar errors that
which detract from the paper cannot be
the paper’s understood.
readability.
Citations / Works *All works properly *Most works properly *Some works cited *Works not cited
Cited / Bibliography cited and formatted. cited, with minor properly properly /
exceptions. numerous errors.

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