| Criteria | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose and Focus | The essay lacks a clear purpose and focus, and the topic is not addressed. | The purpose and focus of the essay are unclear, and the topic is minimally addressed. | The purpose and focus of the essay are somewhat clear, but could be more specific, and the topic is adequately addressed. | The purpose and focus of the essay are clear, and the topic is effectively addressed. | The purpose and focus of the essay are very clear, and the topic is thoroughly addressed. | The purpose and focus of the essay are exceptionally clear, and the topic is expertly addressed. | The purpose and focus of the essay are outstandingly clear, and the topic is masterfully addressed. | The purpose and focus of the essay are exemplary, and the topic is brilliantly addressed. |
| Organization and Structure | The essay lacks organization and structure, making it difficult to follow. | The essay is minimally organized and structured, making it somewhat challenging to follow. | The essay is adequately organized and structured, making it fairly easy to follow. | The essay is well-organized and structured, making it easy to follow. | The essay is very well-organized and structured, making it engaging to follow. | The essay is exceptionally well-organized and structured, making it captivating to follow. | The essay is outstandingly well-organized and structured, making it compelling to follow. | The essay is exemplary in organization and structure, making it seamless to follow. |
| Development and Support | The essay lacks development and support, with minimal or no relevant details or evidence. | The essay is minimally developed and supported, with limited relevant details or evidence. | The essay is adequately developed and supported, with some relevant details and evidence. | The essay is well-developed and supported, with relevant details and evidence. | The essay is very well-developed and supported, with compelling details and evidence. | The essay is exceptionally well-developed and supported, with convincing details and evidence. | The essay is outstandingly well-developed and supported, with persuasive details and evidence. | The essay is exemplary in development and support, with thorough and convincing details and evidence. |
| Sentence Variety and Style | The essay lacks sentence variety and style, with repetitive or awkward phrasing. | The essay has minimal sentence variety and style, with some repetitive or awkward phrasing. | The essay has adequate sentence variety and style, with mostly varied and appropriate phrasing. | The essay has good sentence variety and style, with varied and engaging phrasing. | The essay has very good sentence variety and style, with polished and engaging phrasing. | The essay has excellent sentence variety and style, with sophisticated and engaging phrasing. | The essay has outstanding sentence variety and style, with eloquent and engaging phrasing. | The essay has exemplary sentence variety and style, with masterful and engaging phrasing. |
| Mechanical Conventions | The essay is riddled with errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, making it difficult to read. | The essay contains numerous errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, making it somewhat challenging to read. | The essay contains some errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, but they do not significantly detract from readability. | The essay contains few errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, maintaining readability. | The essay contains very few errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, enhancing readability. | The essay contains minimal errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, ensuring high readability. | The essay is nearly flawless in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, ensuring exceptional readability. | The essay is flawless in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, ensuring exemplary readability. |
| Critical Thinking | The essay lacks critical thinking, with minimal analysis or insight. | The essay shows minimal critical thinking, with limited analysis or insight. | The essay demonstrates some critical thinking, with adequate analysis and insight. | The essay demonstrates good critical thinking, with thoughtful analysis and insight. | The essay demonstrates very good critical thinking, with insightful analysis and reflection. | The essay demonstrates excellent critical thinking, with deep analysis and reflection. | The essay demonstrates outstanding critical thinking, with profound analysis and reflection. | The essay demonstrates exemplary critical thinking, with exceptional analysis and reflection. |