Criteria

Superior (A)

20 points

Good (B)

17 points

Acceptable (C)

15 points

Needs Improvement (D)

13 points

Failing (F)

11 points

Not Submitted

0 points

Criterion Score

Introduction: Explanation and contextualization of issues; thesis

Issue and context are described clearly with all relevant information for full understanding; thesis is creative, taking into account the complexities of the issue, and makes a strong contestable claim

Description of issue and historical context is explained but need more depth; thesis is accurate, with some effort to account of the complexities of the issue but doesn’t make a strong contestable claim

Issue and contextual background are stated but left some terms undefined, ambiguities unexplored, boundaries undetermined, and/or contextual background unknown; thesis is original but void of complexities and doesn’t make a contestable claim

Issue and context are stated without clarification or description; thesis re-states what is provided in the instructions or is posed as a question

-No introduction present; or issue and context are unclear and student shows little to no understanding of the issue or the assignment; or no defined thesis statement is present

Not submitted

Score of Introduction: Explanation and contextualization of issues; thesis,

/ 20

Body: Use of Evidence & Documentation

Narratives are well-supported with evidence from appropriate primary & secondary sources; direct quotes are used properly and in-text citations contain all necessary information; bibliographical entries on Works Cited page are formatted correctly and listed in correct order

Narratives are supported with evidence from appropriate primary & secondary sources; but direct quotes either aren’t used formatted correctly or in-text citations don’t contain all necessary information; or bibliographical entries on Works Cited page either are not formatted correctly or listed in correct order

Narratives make vague references to sources only; problems with quotation format (length, punctuation); formatting errors on in-text citations or Works Cited page are cause for concern

Narratives are vague with little support by evidence; essay lacks either in-text citations or Works Cited page

Narratives don’t address the issue; no evidence is present, and no understanding of the assignment; in-text citations and Works Cited page are missing

Not submitted

Score of Body: Use of Evidence & Documentation,

/ 20

Body: Analysis, Context & Assumptions

Narratives show original thought and analysis of sources that connects back to contestable claim from thesis statement; relevance of contexts is evaluated; assumptions (own and others’) are systematically and methodically analyzed

Narratives contain some original thought; analysis doesn’t connect back to contestable claim; assumptions (own and others’) are identified and some relevant contexts are evaluated

Evidence is summarized but not analyzed; some assumptions and relevant contexts are identified and seem to be understood

Explanation/analysis of evidence reveals confusion; acknowledgement of some assumptions or context without an understanding

No analysis; no regard for assumptions or contexts

Not submitted

Score of Body: Analysis, Context & Assumptions,

/ 20

Conclusions & Related Outcomes (implications & consequences)

Conclusions are logical, reflect student’s informed evaluation, and are consistent throughout

Conclusions are identified, are tied somewhat to evidence, and are mostly consistent throughout

Conclusions are present, logical, and consistent, but no connection to evidence is made

Conclusions are overly simple with no tied to evidence; consistency wavers

No conclusions are made

Not submitted

Score of Conclusions & Related Outcomes (implications & consequences),

/ 20

Control of Syntax & Mechanics

Uses graceful language that skillfully communicates meaning with clarity and fluency and is virtually error-free

Uses straightforward language that vernally conveys meaning to readers; some errors are present

Uses language that generally conveys meaning with clarity, but writing contains significant major and minor errors

Uses language that sometimes impairs meaning because of errors in usage

Uses language that is inaccurate, poorly chosen, and which consistently impairs meaning due to errors in usage

Not submitted

Score of Control of Syntax & Mechanics,

/ 20