| Criteria / Topics | 4 Points | 3 Points | 2 Points | 1 Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thesis | The essay has a clear and concise thesis statement that effectively presents the main argument. | The essay has a thesis statement, but it may lack clarity or conciseness. | The essay has a weak or unclear thesis statement. | The essay does not have a thesis statement. |
| Citations | The essay includes accurate and properly formatted citations for all sources used. | The essay includes citations for most sources used, but there may be some inaccuracies or formatting errors. | The essay includes few citations, and there may be inaccuracies or formatting errors. | The essay does not include any citations. |
| Grammar and Spelling | The essay demonstrates excellent grammar and spelling, with no errors. | The essay demonstrates good grammar and spelling, with only minor errors. | The essay demonstrates some grammar and spelling errors that may impact readability. | The essay demonstrates numerous grammar and spelling errors that significantly impact readability. |
| Format | The essay follows all formatting guidelines, including proper paragraph structure, indentation, and font size. | The essay mostly follows formatting guidelines, but there may be some minor deviations. | The essay deviates from formatting guidelines in several areas. | The essay does not follow formatting guidelines. |
| Transition words | The essay effectively uses a variety of transition words and phrases to enhance the flow and coherence of ideas. | The essay uses some transition words and phrases, but there may be limited variety or effectiveness. | The essay uses few transition words and phrases, resulting in a lack of coherence and flow. | The essay does not use any transition words or phrases. |