| Criteria | 4 Points | 3 Points | 2 Points | 1 Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thesis Statement | Clear, insightful thesis that directly addresses the prompt and provides a strong foundation for the essay. | Clear thesis that addresses the prompt and provides a good foundation for the essay. | Thesis is present but may be unclear or only partially addresses the prompt. | Thesis is unclear or does not address the prompt. |
| Textual Evidence | Uses multiple, well-chosen examples from the text that effectively support the thesis. | Uses relevant examples from the text that support the thesis. | Uses some examples from the text, but they may not fully support the thesis. | Uses few or no examples from the text, or examples do not support the thesis. |
| Analysis | Provides insightful analysis that clearly connects the evidence to the thesis and demonstrates a deep understanding of the text. | Provides clear analysis that connects the evidence to the thesis and shows understanding of the text. | Provides some analysis, but connections to the thesis may be weak or unclear. | Provides little or no analysis, or analysis is not connected to the thesis. |
| Organization | Essay is logically organized with clear and effective transitions between ideas. | Essay is organized with some effective transitions between ideas. | Essay has some organization, but transitions between ideas may be unclear or ineffective. | Essay lacks clear organization and transitions between ideas. |
| Conventions | Demonstrates a strong command of grammar, punctuation, and spelling with few or no errors. | Demonstrates a good command of grammar, punctuation, and spelling with some errors. | Demonstrates a basic command of grammar, punctuation, and spelling with frequent errors. | Demonstrates a limited command of grammar, punctuation, and spelling with numerous errors. |
| Conclusion | Provides a strong conclusion that effectively summarizes the main points and reinforces the thesis. | Provides a conclusion that summarizes the main points and reinforces the thesis. | Provides a conclusion, but it may be weak or only partially summarize the main points. | Conclusion is missing or does not summarize the main points. |