Criteria  Needs  Satisfactory  Good  Excellent  Points Possible  Points Earned 

Improvement 

Introduction/ Thesis   
 
- Weak introduction of - Adequate introduction - Proficient introduction - Exceptional
topic, thesis & main that states topic , thesis that states background introduction that grabs
points and some of the main information, has a clear interest of reader and 5 
points thesis, and all main states background
-Thesis is weak and lacks points in proper order information, topic,
an arguable position - Thesis is somewhat thesis, and all main
clear points in proper order

Quality of Information  - Evidence and examples - At least one of the - Most of the evidence - All of the evidence and    
do not make sense pieces of evidence and and examples are examples are specific,
/ Evidence   
AND/OR are not examples is relevant and specific, relevant and relevant and explanations
explained. has an explanation that explanations are given are given that show how 10 
shows how that piece of that show how each each piece of evidence
evidence supports the piece of evidence supports the author's
author's position. supports the author's position.
position.

Support of Ideas /  - Limited connections - ​Some connections - Consistent connections - Exceptionally critical,    
made between evidence made between evidence relevant and consistent
Analysis  made between evidence 10 
& thesis / topic & thesis / topic showing connections made
& thesis / topic showing
analysis good analysis between evidence &
-lack of analysis
thesis / topic showing
  excellent analysis

Organization /   
 
- Paper lacks clear and - Somewhat clear and - Clear and logical order - Exceptionally clear,
Development of Ideas  logical development of logical development of of ideas that supports logical, mature, and
10 
ideas with weak ideas with adequate thesis with good thorough development of
transition b/w ideas and transitions b/w transitions b/w ideas that support thesis
paragraphs paragraphs paragraphs with excellent transition
b/w paragraphs
 Conclusion   
 
- Lack of summary of - Adequate summary of - Good summary of topic - Excellent summary of
topic with weak topic with some final with clear concluding topic (with no new
 
concluding ideas concluding ideas ideas information), thesis is in
proper order with  
concluding ideas that 5 
leave an impact on
reader

Language Conventions   
 
- Inconsistent grammar, - Paper has some errors - Paper is clear, with - Paper is very concise,
spelling and in grammar, spelling and mostly proper grammar, clear, with consistently
 
paragraphing throughout paragraphing spelling and proper grammar, spelling
paper paragraphing and paragraphing 5 

Sources   
 
- Many sources are not - Most sources used for - All sources used for - All sources used for
credible AND/OR are quotes, statistics and quotes, statistics and quotes, statistics and
   
not cited correctly. facts are credible and facts are credible and facts are credible and
  cited correctly. most are cited correctly. cited correctly. 5 

Total: