| Criteria | Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | Missing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thesis | Clear and specific thesis introducing both subjects and opinion, avoiding “similar” or “different.” | Thesis is present but may lack clarity or specificity; uses “similar” or “different.” | Thesis is vague; does not effectively introduce subjects. | No clear thesis statement present. | No thesis provided. |
| Topic | Fully addresses one of the assigned topic prompts. | Addresses the topic but may lack depth or relevance. | Somewhat addresses the topic; lacks focus. | Does not adequately address the topic. | Topic is missing or irrelevant. |
| Format | Follows the 5-paragraph structure, 600+ words, double-spaced, size 12 font; paragraphs contain 8-12 sentences. | Mostly follows the structure, but may lack some formatting requirements. | Structure is unclear; less than 600 words; paragraphs not well-developed. | Does not follow the format guidelines adequately. | Completely missing format requirements. |
| Title and Name | Creative and original title, properly centered; name and date formatted correctly. | Title is present but lacks creativity; name and date formatted correctly. | Title is vague; name/date formatting may have minor errors. | Title is missing or poorly formatted; name/date incorrect. | No title, name, or date provided. |
| Organization | Uses a clear organizational pattern (point by point or subject by subject) and states which one is used. | Organizational pattern is present but lacks clarity or consistency. | Organization is unclear; may switch patterns without notice. | Disorganized and hard to follow; no clear pattern used. | Missing organizational pattern statement. |
| Points of Comparison/Contrast | Adequate and balanced discussion of points of comparison/contrast with specific examples (names, dates, etc.). | Points are discussed, but some may lack detail or balance. | Points are present but not adequately supported with examples. | Few points discussed; lack of supporting details. | No points of comparison/contrast provided. |
| Grammar/Spelling | Free of errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. | Minor errors present, but they do not interfere with understanding. | Several errors that distract from readability. | Numerous errors that significantly hinder understanding. | Essay is riddled with errors. |
| MLA Documentation | Free of errors in MLA documentation. Citations on Works Cited page correlate with sources cited within essay. | Minor errors in MLA documentation. Most of citations on Works Cited page correlate with sources cited within essay. | Several errors in MLA documentation. Citations on Works Cited page do not always correlate with sources cited within essay. | Numerous errors in MLA documentation. | Many errors in MLA documentation. |
Comments Section
Provide specific comments related to each criterion to give constructive feedback to the student.