| Criteria | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exposition | The essay does not have a clear introduction or setting. | The essay has a weak introduction or setting. | The essay has a basic introduction or setting. | The essay has a clear introduction or setting. | The essay has a well-developed introduction or setting. | The essay has an engaging introduction or setting. | The essay has an exceptional introduction or setting. |
| Rising Action | The essay lacks a clear progression of events. | The essay has a weak progression of events. | The essay has a basic progression of events. | The essay has a clear progression of events. | The essay has a well-developed progression of events. | The essay has an engaging progression of events. | The essay has an exceptional progression of events. |
| Climax | The essay lacks a clear turning point or climax. | The essay has a weak turning point or climax. | The essay has a basic turning point or climax. | The essay has a clear turning point or climax. | The essay has a well-developed turning point or climax. | The essay has an engaging turning point or climax. | The essay has an exceptional turning point or climax. |
| Falling Action | The essay lacks a clear resolution or falling action. | The essay has a weak resolution or falling action. | The essay has a basic resolution or falling action. | The essay has a clear resolution or falling action. | The essay has a well-developed resolution or falling action. | The essay has an engaging resolution or falling action. | The essay has an exceptional resolution or falling action. |
| Reflection | The essay lacks a reflection or conclusion. | The essay has a weak reflection or conclusion. | The essay has a basic reflection or conclusion. | The essay has a clear reflection or conclusion. | The essay has a well-developed reflection or conclusion. | The essay has an engaging reflection or conclusion. | The essay has an exceptional reflection or conclusion. |
| Varied Sentences | The essay has mostly simple and repetitive sentences. | The essay has some variety in sentence structure. | The essay has basic variety in sentence structure. | The essay has good variety in sentence structure. | The essay has excellent variety in sentence structure. | The essay has engaging variety in sentence structure. | The essay has exceptional variety in sentence structure. |
| Grammar | The essay has numerous grammatical errors that hinder understanding. | The essay has several grammatical errors that affect understanding. | The essay has some grammatical errors that occasionally affect understanding. | The essay has few grammatical errors that rarely affect understanding. | The essay has minimal grammatical errors that do not affect understanding. | The essay has almost no grammatical errors. | The essay has no grammatical errors. |