| Length and Form |
Essay is exactly 5 paragraphs with 8-12 sentences each. Minimum of 600 words. All paragraphs contain relevant information. |
Essay is 5 paragraphs with 8-12 sentences each. Minimum of 600 words. Most paragraphs contain relevant information. |
Essay is 5 paragraphs but some paragraphs have fewer than 8 sentences or more than 12. Minimum of 600 words. Some paragraphs contain relevant information. |
Essay is fewer than 5 paragraphs or some paragraphs have fewer than 8 sentences or more than 12. Less than 600 words. Few paragraphs contain relevant information. |
Essay is fewer than 5 paragraphs. Many paragraphs have fewer than 8 sentences or more than 12. Less than 600 words. Most paragraphs lack relevant information. |
| Title and Name |
Creative and original title centered at the top. Name and date at the top left of the page. |
Title centered at the top. Name and date at the top left of the page. |
Title is present but not centered. Name and date are present but not at the top left of the page. |
Title is missing or not centered. Name or date is missing or not at the top left of the page. |
Title, name, and date are missing or incorrectly placed. |
| Thesis |
Clear thesis in the introduction that conveys a strong opinion on the topic. |
Thesis in the introduction that conveys an opinion on the topic. |
Thesis is present but not clear or does not convey a strong opinion. |
Thesis is unclear or weakly conveys an opinion. |
No clear thesis or opinion conveyed. |
| Specific Examples and Details such as numbers, dates, statistics, colors, proper nouns. |
Specific examples and details in the body paragraphs strongly support the thesis statement. |
Examples and details in the body paragraphs support the thesis statement. |
Some examples and details in the body paragraphs support the thesis statement. |
Few examples and details in the body paragraphs support the thesis statement. |
Examples and details are missing or do not support the thesis statement. |
| Grammar |
Proper grammar, free of spelling, capitalization, and grammatical errors. Reflects critical thinking. |
Few minor grammar, spelling, capitalization, or grammatical errors. Reflects critical thinking. |
Some grammar, spelling, capitalization, or grammatical errors. Reflects some critical thinking. |
Several grammar, spelling, capitalization, or grammatical errors. Reflects limited critical thinking. |
Many grammar, spelling, capitalization, or grammatical errors. Lacks critical thinking. |
| MLA Documentation |
Appropriate documentation is used within essay and Works Cited sheet. |
Few errors of documentation are found within essay and Works Cited sheet. |
Some errors of documentation are found within essay and Works Cited sheet. |
Several errors of documentation are found within essay and Works Cited sheet. |
Many errors of documentation are found within essay and Works Cited sheet. |
