| 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. |