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| Criteria | Excellent (5 points) | Good (4 points) | Fair (3 points) | Needs Improvement (2 points) | Poor (1 point) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thesis Statement | Clear, concise, and presents a strong argument. It is specific and sets up the essay effectively. | Clear and presents a strong argument but may lack some specificity. | Presents an argument but lacks clarity or specificity. | Thesis is unclear or too broad, making the argument weak. | No clear thesis statement is present. |
| Evidence and Support | Provides strong, relevant evidence that clearly supports the argument. Sources are well-integrated and cited. | Provides relevant evidence that supports the argument. Sources are integrated and cited. | Provides some evidence, but it may not be entirely relevant or well-integrated. | Limited evidence provided, and it is not well-integrated or relevant. | Little to no evidence provided, or evidence is irrelevant. |
| Counterclaim and Rebuttal | Effectively presents a counterclaim and provides a strong rebuttal that enhances the argument. | Presents a counterclaim and provides a rebuttal that supports the argument. | Presents a counterclaim, but the rebuttal is weak or unclear. | Counterclaim is unclear or rebuttal is missing. | No counterclaim or rebuttal is present. |
| Organization | Essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Ideas flow logically. | Essay is organized with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Ideas mostly flow logically. | Essay has some organization, but ideas may not always flow logically. | Essay lacks clear organization, making it difficult to follow. | Essay is disorganized and difficult to follow. |
| Grammar and Mechanics | Few to no errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Writing is clear and polished. | Some minor errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Writing is mostly clear. | Noticeable errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling that may distract the reader. | Frequent errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling that make the essay difficult to read. | Numerous errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling that severely hinder understanding. |
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