Missing. No evidence of planning, editing or rough work.

0

Exists, but weak. Insufficient detail, lack of organization, planning, editing & rough work

2

Satisfactory. Some detail, some organization, planning, editing & rough work

3

Good detail & organization. Good planning, editing & rough work.

4

Excellent detail & organization. Excellent planning, editing & rough work.

5

Style, Unity

Thesis statement very weak or missing; essay disorganized with weak topic sentences, no transitions, weak or missing conclusion

0 , 1 , 2

Thesis statement weak; somewhat organized, with unclear topic sentences & few transitions; satisfactory conclusion

3 , 4

Satisfactory thesis statement; good organization with topic sentences that are related to thesis; some use of transitions good conclusion

5 , 6

Good, clear thesis statement; clear organization with topic sentences that clearly relate to thesis; effective use of transitions, solid conclusion

7 , 8

Effective thesis statement; topic sentences clearly relate to thesis; transitions used to connect and interlink paragraphs, excellent, relevant conclusion.

9 , 10

Content

Demonstrates poor knowledge of topic & sources; ideas undeveloped, significant inaccuracies; off-topic; unsupported arguments or points

4 , 6 , 8 , 10 , 12

Some good, partially developed ideas, satisfactory understanding of topic & sources; some inaccuracies; insufficient support for arguments or points.

13 , 14

Good ideas, but predictable & only partially developed; competent understanding of topic & sources; some support provided for arguments or points.

15 , 16

Insightful, fairly original, well-developed ideas; good sources; good support for arguments or points

17 , 18

Insightful, original, fully-developed ideas, accurate understanding of topic & sources; excellent support for arguments or points (e.g. more than one example per points)

19 , 20

Citations

Sources not cited in text in endnotes. Bibliography grossly incorrect, incomplete or missing

*Please rewrite & resubmit*

n/a or 0

Insufficient sources cited in text or in endnotes. Bibliography incorrect, or incomplete. Insufficient number of sources
*Please correct & resubmit*

n/a or 0

Some sources cited in text or in endnotes. Some MLA technical errors. Bibliography has some technical errors. Insufficient number of sources
*Please correct & resubmit*

n/a or 0

Most sources cited in text or in endnotes. Few or no MLA technical errors. Bibliography has few or no technical errors. Sufficient sources.

7 , 8

Excellent citation in text or endnotes. Very few or no MLA technical errors. Bibliography has sufficient sources and is technically correct. Sufficient sources or more.

9 , 10

Writing Conventions

Unacceptable number of spelling, sentence structure punctuation &/or grammatical errors, creating confusion.

0 , 1 , 2

Frequent spelling errors, sentence structure, punctuation &/or grammar sometimes incorrect; tense inconsistent or 1st person narration used

3 , 4

Some spelling errors; sentence structure, punctuation & grammar sometimes incorrect; tense or 3rd person narration inconsistent.

5 , 6

Few spelling, sentence structure, punctuation or grammatical errors; tense is consistent. 3rd person narration consistent.

7 , 8

Spelling, sentence structure punctuation & grammar consistently correct & effective; tense & 3rd person narration consistent throughout.

9 , 10