| Criteria | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skillfully develops the topic using well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotes, and other information and examples that are pertinent and substantial | Little to no evidence of skillful development of the topic | Some evidence of skillful development of the topic | Adequate evidence of skillful development of the topic | Strong evidence of skillful development of the topic | Exceptional evidence of skillful development of the topic |
| Shows insightful understanding of topic or text | Little to no evidence of insightful understanding | Some evidence of insightful understanding | Adequate evidence of insightful understanding | Strong evidence of insightful understanding | Exceptional evidence of insightful understanding |
| Provides substantial and pertinent evidence to support topic(s) | Little to no evidence of substantial and pertinent evidence | Some evidence of substantial and pertinent evidence | Adequate evidence of substantial and pertinent evidence | Strong evidence of substantial and pertinent evidence | Exceptional evidence of substantial and pertinent evidence |
| Seamlessly and effectively integrates and cites credible sources and/or textual evidence | Little to no evidence of seamless and effective integration and citation | Some evidence of seamless and effective integration and citation | Adequate evidence of seamless and effective integration and citation | Strong evidence of seamless and effective integration and citation | Exceptional evidence of seamless and effective integration and citation |
| Student must begin the paragraph with a hook | No hook included | Weak hook included | Adequate hook included | Strong hook included | Exceptional hook included |
| Student must have a thesis statement | No thesis statement included | Weak thesis statement included | Adequate thesis statement included | Strong thesis statement included | Exceptional thesis statement included |