| Criteria | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claim | Claim is missing or irrelevant. | Claim is unclear or somewhat related to the topic. | Claim is somewhat clear and relevant to the topic. | Claim is clear and directly related to the topic. | Claim is clear, specific, and strongly related to the topic. | Claim is clear, specific, compelling, and directly related to the topic. | Claim is clear, specific, compelling, and directly related to the topic, effectively guiding the essay. |
| Introduction | Introduction is missing or does not introduce the topic. | Introduction is unclear or lacks a clear purpose. | Introduction is somewhat clear and introduces the topic. | Introduction is clear and sets up the essay. | Introduction is clear, engaging, and effectively introduces the topic. | Introduction is clear, engaging, and effectively sets up the essay. | Introduction is clear, engaging, and effectively sets up the essay, capturing the reader’s attention. |
| Evidence | Little to no evidence provided to support the claim. | Minimal evidence provided, but lacks depth or relevance. | Some evidence provided, but may lack relevance or clarity. | Evidence provided supports the claim with some relevance and clarity. | Evidence provided supports the claim with relevance and clarity. | Evidence provided strongly supports the claim with relevance and clarity. | Evidence provided strongly supports the claim with relevance, clarity, and depth. |
| In Text Citations | No in-text citations included. | One or two in-text citations included, but not properly formatted. | Some in-text citations included, but inconsistently formatted. | In-text citations included and mostly properly formatted. | In-text citations included and properly formatted. | In-text citations included, properly formatted, and enhance the credibility of the essay. | In-text citations included, properly formatted, and effectively support the argument. |
| Justification | Justification is missing or unclear. | Justification is weak or lacks depth. | Justification is somewhat clear but lacks depth. | Justification is clear and somewhat supports the claim. | Justification is clear and supports the claim. | Justification is clear, strong, and effectively supports the claim. | Justification is clear, strong, detailed, and effectively supports the claim. |
| Conclusion | Conclusion is missing or does not effectively wrap up the essay. | Conclusion is weak or lacks a clear summary. | Conclusion is somewhat clear but lacks a strong summary. | Conclusion is clear and provides a basic summary. | Conclusion is clear and provides a summary that relates back to the claim. | Conclusion is clear, provides a strong summary, and reinforces the claim. | Conclusion is clear, provides a strong and insightful summary, and effectively reinforces the claim. |
| Organization | Essay lacks organization and coherence. | Essay is somewhat disorganized and lacks coherence. | Essay is somewhat organized but lacks smooth transitions. | Essay is organized with some transitions between ideas. | Essay is well-organized with clear transitions between ideas. | Essay is well-organized with smooth transitions between ideas. | Essay is well-organized with seamless transitions between ideas, enhancing overall coherence. |
| Conventions | Multiple errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. | Several errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. | Some errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. | Few errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. | Minor errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. | Almost no errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. | No errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. |
| Development | Essay lacks development and depth of ideas. | Essay is underdeveloped and lacks depth in supporting ideas. | Essay is somewhat developed but lacks depth in supporting ideas. | Essay is adequately developed with some depth in supporting ideas. | Essay is well-developed with depth in supporting ideas. | Essay is well-developed with strong depth in supporting ideas. | Essay is well-developed with thorough depth in supporting ideas, demonstrating a strong understanding of the topic. |