| Criteria | 1 – Below Standard | 2 – Approaching Standard | 3 – Meeting Standard | 4 – Exceeding Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Difficulty understanding main ideas and supporting details | Basic understanding of main ideas with some supporting details | Clear understanding of main ideas with relevant supporting details | Demonstrates deep understanding of main ideas with insightful supporting details |
| Thesis | Unclear or missing thesis statement | Weak thesis statement with limited focus | Clear thesis statement that presents a focused argument | Strong, compelling thesis statement that guides the entire essay |
| Organization | Essay lacks logical progression and coherence | Some attempt at organization, but may be confusing | Essay is well-organized with clear transitions | Seamless organization that enhances the argument |
| Evidence | Limited or irrelevant evidence provided | Some relevant evidence, but lacks depth | Uses relevant evidence to support arguments | Extensive, compelling evidence that strengthens the argument |
| Analysis | Minimal analysis of evidence provided | Basic analysis of evidence with limited insight | Thoughtful analysis of evidence with some insight | Sophisticated analysis that demonstrates deep understanding |
| Citations and Sources | Missing or incorrect citations | Some citations, but not consistently formatted | Consistently uses proper citations and sources | Expertly integrates a variety of credible sources with accurate citations |
| Writing Conventions and Craft | Many errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling | Some errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling | Few errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling | Exceptional command of grammar, punctuation, and spelling |