1500 words

SUPERIOR

GOOD

COMPETENT

NON-PASSING

Develops clear, logically-framed statement of a current, pressing problem

Illustrates exceptional ability to craft a clear, precise problem statement and sustain a cogent argument. The essay addresses clear research questions with sophistication and specificity, describing, framing, and discussing the harms and historical causes of the problem in great detail.

Problem statement is clear and reasonably specific. The essay addresses appropriate research questions with precision; it describes, frames, and discusses the harms and historical causes of the problem in detail.

Problem statement lacks some clarity or specificity, but is still relevant and fairly specific. The essay is generally motivated by research questions while lacking some specificity. May not frame the problem clearly and narrowly, or may lack in description of the harms or historical causes of the problem.

Problem statement is vague, irrelevant, or lacking in specificity. Essay does not evince a research agenda, or does not succeed in framing a coherently-described problem. Problem is not justified in terms of harms, and/or lacks clearly-identified causes.

Body of research is coherent and varied, consisting of sources that are relevant, timely, and credible

Research goes well beyond the minimum requirements for the assignment. Sources cohere in focus, but vary in terms of genre and disciplinary perspective. Student shows an exceptional ability to identify sources that are relevant, timely, and credible, offering deep evidentiary support for the paper’s arguments.

Research goes beyond the minimum requirements for the assignment. Sources cohere in focus, but vary in terms of genre and disciplinary perspective. Student shows an ability to identify sources that are relevant, timely, and credible, offering good evidentiary support for the paper’s arguments.

Research meets the minimum requirements for the assignment. Sources mostly cohere in focus and offer some variety in terms of genre and disciplinary perspective. Not all sources are relevant, timely, and credible, leading to an occasional lack of support for the paper’s arguments.

Research does not meet the minimum requirements for the assignment in one or more ways. Sources may lack in coherence or variety. Not all sources are relevant, timely, and/or credible, leading to a frequent lack of support for the paper’s arguments.

Demonstrates effective organization and style – for a particular purpose, within a particular genre, to a particular audience

Shows exceptional control in both paragraph coherence and unity that leads to a well-structured paper. Connections between problem statement and body paragraphs, and among body paragraphs, are clear. The structure of the paper enhances the argument as well as adheres to the genre expectations of an academic paper for an academic audience.

Shows effective control in both paragraph coherence and unity that leads to a well-structured paper. Connections between problem statement and body paragraphs, and among body paragraphs, are usually clear. The structure of the paper serves the argument as well as adheres to the genre expectations of an academic paper for an academic audience.

Shows control in both paragraph coherence and unity that leads to a structured paper. Connections between problem statement and body paragraphs, and among body paragraphs, are only sometimes clear. The structure of the paper may detract from the argument but mostly adheres to the genre expectations of an academic paper for an academic audience.

Fails to show control in both paragraph coherence and unity that leads to a well-structured paper. Connections between problem statement and body paragraphs, and among body paragraphs, are often unclear. The structure of the paper does not serve the argument, or may not adhere to the genre expectations of an academic paper for an academic audience.

Situates, integrates, and contextualizes different types of evidence effectively while distinguishing the writer’s voice from those of sources 

The writer selects and integrates a variety of evidence (popular, scholarly, primary-source, secondary-source, and multimodal evidence) with exceptional facility to support claims. Able to integrate all sources smoothly and appropriately into an argument. The sources gracefully support and develop the argument without overwhelming the writer’s own voice.

The writer selects and integrates a variety of evidence competently to support claims. Integrates the material appropriately, though not as smoothly as superior essays. The sources support and develop the argument, though not as rigorously as superior essays.

The writer generally selects a variety of evidence competently, but does not consistently support claims. Connection between claim and evidence may be occasionally unclear. The writer sometimes struggles to integrate material into an argument, and the source material occasionally overwhelms the argument.

The writer generally selects and integrates evidence competently, but does not consistently support claims. Evidence may lack variety in one or more ways. Fails to synthesize body of research. Connection between claim and evidence is frequently unclear. Fails to integrate the material smoothly and appropriately into the argument.

Crafts language, style, and tone appropriate to genre and audience expectations

Prose is articulate, clear, and precise. The essay is virtually free of errors in mechanics, usage, grammar and spelling.

Prose is mostly clear and precise. The essay is usually free of errors in mechanics, usage, grammar and spelling.

Prose features some lapses in clarity and precision. Minor errors are never so severe that the paper is difficult to follow.

Prose often lacks clarity and precision, presenting difficulties for reader comprehension. Frequent sentence-level errors affect readability.

MLA formatting, citations, and academic ethos

MLA-formatted in-text citations are offered as appropriate throughout, material (language, ideas, information) is always properly attributed to sources, and the paper features a correctly-formatted Works Cited page.

Paper features MLA-formatted in-text citations and Works Cited page. Material (language, ideas, information) is always properly attributed to sources. Some errors in formatting.

Paper features MLA-formatted in-text citations and Works Cited page. Material (language, ideas, information) is always attributed to sources. Frequent or major errors in formatting.

Paper lacks MLA-formatted in-text citations and/or Works Cited page. Material (language, ideas, information) is not always properly attributed to sources. Lack of formatting.