| Thesis Statement |
Clear, well-defined thesis that addresses the prompt directly and insightfully. |
Clear thesis that addresses the prompt but may lack depth. |
Thesis is present but may be unclear or only partially addresses the prompt. |
Thesis is missing or does not address the prompt. |
| Evidence and Support |
Strong, relevant evidence and examples that fully support the thesis. |
Good evidence and examples that support the thesis, but may lack depth. |
Some evidence and examples that support the thesis, but may be weak or irrelevant. |
Little to no evidence or examples that support the thesis. |
| Organization |
Essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. |
Essay is organized but may have minor lapses in structure. |
Essay has some organization but is often unclear or disjointed. |
Essay lacks clear organization and structure. |
| Analysis |
Insightful analysis that demonstrates a deep understanding of the topic. |
Good analysis that demonstrates understanding of the topic. |
Basic analysis that demonstrates some understanding of the topic. |
Little to no analysis or understanding of the topic. |
| Grammar and Mechanics |
Few to no errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. |
Some minor errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. |
Several errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling that may distract the reader. |
Many errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling that make the essay difficult to read. |
| Style and Tone |
Consistent and appropriate style and tone for the essay. |
Generally appropriate style and tone with minor inconsistencies. |
Inconsistent style and tone that may detract from the essay. |
Inappropriate style and tone that detracts from the essay. |
