essay paper

Arguing:

The writer states his/her opinion on the subject in the thesis statement

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The writer adequately persuades the intended audience

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The writer chose appropriate evidence to support the thesis statement

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The writer anticipated the opposing point of view

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The writer found some common ground

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The writer maintained a reasonable tone

Thesis Statement:

Thesis statement contains essay’s controlling idea

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Thesis statement contains both subject and opinion

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Basic Elements:

Title draws in the reader

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Introduction and conclusion are effective

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Body paragraphs each deal with a single topic

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Development:

Essay’s topics adequately develop thesis statement

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Body paragraphs contain enough specific details that support topic sentences

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Essay is developed logically at both sentence and paragraph levels

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Unity:

Essay’s topic sentences relate directly to thesis statement

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Sentences in each body paragraph support topic sentence

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All paragraphs are relevant to the thesis’s controlling idea

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Organization:

Essay is organized logically

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Paragraphs within the essay are organized logically

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Sentences are organized logically

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Coherence:

Paragraphs move smoothly from one to another

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Sentences move smoothly from one to another

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Complete Sentences:

Each sentence has a main subject and verb

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All subjects and verbs agree

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All pronouns agree with their nouns

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All modifiers are as close as possible to the words they modify

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Punctuation and Mechanics:

Sentences are punctuated correctly

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Words are capitalized properly

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Words:

Words are used correctly

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Words are spelled correctly

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Comments:

Grade: _______________