| Criteria | 1 – Below Expectations | 2 – Approaching Expectations | 3 – Meeting Expectations | 4 – Exceeding Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opinion Statement | The opinion is unclear and unsupported by the text. | The opinion is somewhat clear but lacks strong support from the text. | The opinion is clear and supported by relevant evidence from the text. | The opinion is exceptionally clear and supported by strong evidence from the text. |
| Textual Evidence | Little to no use of textual evidence to support the opinion. | Some attempt to use textual evidence, but it is not fully integrated or relevant. | Uses relevant textual evidence to support the opinion. | Effectively integrates multiple pieces of textual evidence to strongly support the opinion. |
| Organization | The essay lacks a clear structure and is difficult to follow. | Some attempt at organization, but the essay lacks a logical flow. | Organizes ideas in a logical sequence with some transitions between ideas. | Effectively organizes ideas with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. |
| Language Use | Uses limited vocabulary and simplistic language. | Attempts to use a variety of vocabulary but lacks precision in language use. | Uses a range of vocabulary and language features effectively. | Demonstrates sophisticated language use with precise vocabulary and varied sentence structures. |