Criteria |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Content |
Does not establish a clear purpose or present ideas. |
Attempts to establish a purpose and present ideas, but lacks support. |
Establishes a purpose, presents ideas, and provides some support. |
Establishes a clear purpose, presents ideas, and supports them effectively. |
Establishes a strong purpose, presents compelling ideas, and supports them thoroughly. |
Organization |
Essay lacks structure and transitions. |
Essay has some structure but lacks clear transitions. |
Essay is organized into five paragraphs with some use of transitions. |
Essay is well-organized with clear transitions and introduction/conclusion sentences. |
Essay is expertly organized with seamless transitions and strong introduction/conclusion sentences. |
Sentence Structure |
Beginnings are repetitive and word choice is limited. |
Attempts to vary sentence beginnings and use appropriate word choice. |
Varies sentence beginnings and uses mostly appropriate word choice. |
Effectively varies sentence beginnings and uses precise word choice. |
Expertly varies sentence beginnings and uses sophisticated word choice. |
Vocabulary |
Word choice is inaccurate and ineffective. |
Word choice is somewhat accurate and appropriate. |
Word choice is accurate and mostly appropriate. |
Word choice is accurate, appropriate, and effective in conveying voice and tone. |
Word choice is precise, sophisticated, and enhances voice and tone. |
Conventions |
Essay lacks flow and contains numerous spelling/grammar mistakes. |
Essay has some flow but contains several spelling/grammar mistakes. |
Essay flows well with minimal spelling/grammar mistakes. |
Essay flows smoothly with no spelling/grammar mistakes. |
Essay flows seamlessly with impeccable spelling/grammar. |