| CATEGORY | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Introduction/ Thesis ____ | *exceptional introduction that grabs interest of reader and states topic. **thesis is exceptionally clear, arguable, well-developed, and a definitive statement. | *proficient introduction that is interesting and states topic. **thesis is clear and arguable statement of position. | *basic introduction that states topic but lacks interest. **thesis is somewhat clear and arguable. | *weak or no introduction of topic. **paper’s purpose is unclear/thesis is weak or missing. |
| Quality of Information/ Evidence ____ | *paper is exceptionally researched, extremely detailed, and historically accurate. **information clearly relates to the thesis. | *information relates to the main topic. **paper is well-researched in detail and from a variety of sources. | *information relates to the main topic, few details and/or examples are given. **shows a limited variety of sources. | *information has little or nothing to do with the thesis. **information has weak or no connection to the thesis. |
| Support of Thesis/Analysis ____ | *exceptionally critical, relevant and consistent connections made between evidence and thesis. **excellent analysis. | *consistent connections made between evidence and thesis **good analysis. | *some connections made between evidence and thesis. **some analysis. | *limited or no connections made between evidence and thesis. **lack of analysis. |
| Organization/ Development of Thesis ____ | *exceptionally clear, logical, mature, and thorough development of thesis with excellent transitions between and within paragraphs. | *clear and logical order that supports thesis with good transitions between and within paragraphs. | *somewhat clear and logical development with basic transitions between and within paragraphs. | *lacks development of ideas with weak or no transitions between and within paragraphs. |
| Conclusion ____ | *excellent summary of topic with concluding ideas that impact reader. **introduces no new information. | *good summary of topic with clear concluding ideas. **introduces no new information. | *basic summary of topic with some final concluding ideas. **introduces no new information. | *lack of summary of topic. |
| Style/Voice ____ | *style and voice are not only appropriate to the given audience and purpose, but also show originality and creativity. **word choice is specific, purposeful, dynamic and varied. ***sentences are clear, active (subject-verb-object), and to the point. | *style and voice appropriate to the given audience and purpose. **word choice is specific and purposeful, and somewhat varied throughout. ***sentences are mostly clear, active (SVO), and to the point. | *style and voice somewhat appropriate to given audience and purpose. **word choice is often unspecific, generic, redundant, and clichéd. ***sentences are somewhat unclear; excessive use of passive voice. | *style and voice inappropriate or do not address given audience, purpose, etc. **word choice is excessively redundant, clichéd, and unspecific. ***sentences are very unclear. |
| Grammar/Usage/ Mechanics ____ | *control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. **almost entirely free of spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. | *may contain few spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors. | *contains several spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors which detract from the paper’s readability. | *so many spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors that the paper cannot be understood. |
