| Criteria | 20 Points | 18 Points | 16 Points | 14 Points | 12 Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Includes a captivating worldly hook, a concise summary of the story, and a clear thesis statement. | Includes a good hook, a summary of the story, and a clear thesis statement. | Includes a basic hook, a summary of the story, and a thesis statement. | Includes a weak hook, an incomplete summary, and a vague thesis statement. | Lacks a hook, has an unclear summary, and a missing or unclear thesis statement. |
| Thesis Statement | Clearly and concisely restates the prompt and answers the question with insight. | Clearly restates the prompt and answers the question. | Restates the prompt and answers the question. | Partially restates the prompt and vaguely answers the question. | Does not restate the prompt or answer the question. |
| Body Paragraphs | Each paragraph addresses one topic with a clear topic sentence, key word definitions, significant evidence, thorough explanation, and a logical closing. | Each paragraph addresses one topic with a clear topic sentence, some key word definitions, relevant evidence, explanation, and a closing. | Each paragraph addresses one topic with a topic sentence, some evidence, and explanation. | Paragraphs address topics with unclear topic sentences and limited evidence or explanation. | Paragraphs lack clear topics, evidence, or explanation. |
| Topic Sentences | Logical and concise topic sentences that clearly introduce the paragraph’s main idea. | Logical topic sentences that introduce the paragraph’s main idea. | Topic sentences introduce the paragraph’s main idea. | Weak topic sentences that partially introduce the paragraph’s main idea. | Missing or unclear topic sentences. |
| Evidence | Evidence is highly significant and relevant, strongly supporting the thesis. | Evidence is significant and relevant, supporting the thesis. | Evidence is relevant and supports the thesis. | Evidence is weak or partially supports the thesis. | Evidence is irrelevant or missing. |
| Closing Statements | Logical and relevant closings that effectively wrap up each paragraph. | Logical closings that wrap up each paragraph. | Closings that wrap up each paragraph. | Weak closings that partially wrap up paragraphs. | Missing or unclear closings. |
| Conclusion | Readdresses the thesis, summarizes key ideas, and provides a logical and mindful closing. | Readdresses the thesis, summarizes key ideas, and provides a logical closing. | Readdresses the thesis and summarizes key ideas. | Partially readdresses the thesis and summarizes key ideas. | Does not readdress the thesis or summarize key ideas. |
| Language and Usage | Demonstrates 8th-grade level language and usage with no errors. | Demonstrates 8th-grade level language and usage with few errors. | Demonstrates 8th-grade level language and usage with some errors. | Demonstrates below 8th-grade level language and usage with several errors. | Demonstrates poor language and usage with numerous errors. |
| Vocabulary | Uses a wide range of 8th-grade level vocabulary accurately and effectively. | Uses a range of 8th-grade level vocabulary accurately. | Uses 8th-grade level vocabulary with some accuracy. | Uses limited 8th-grade level vocabulary with inaccuracies. | Uses inadequate vocabulary with frequent inaccuracies. |