ESSAY HOMEWORK 1

5

4

3

2

1

PURPOSE

The essay consistently focuses on its purpose, addressing and engaging a particular audience.

The essay has a clear purpose and is directed to a particular audience, but it may not always interest or address the audience as effectively as the writer hopes.

Though the essay has interesting and focused sections, it does not consistently maintain its purpose and its direction to a particular audience.

The essay has few interesting sections and does not successfully convey its purpose or address its audience.

The essay seems mechanical because it lacks a purpose and is not directed to a particular audience.

THESIS

The essay develops a clear thesis that deepens the reader’s understanding of its point about the topic.

The essay develops a clear thesis that makes an interesting point about the topic.

The essay develops a thesis about the topic but may occasionally include vague or incompletely developed passages.

The essay inadequately develops its thesis or frequently wanders from its point about the topic.

The essay lacks a thesis about the topic.

ORGANIZATION

The essay is appropriately and effectively organized to present varied and convincing evidence that supports its point.

The essay is generally well organized, presenting varied and persuasive evidence.

The essay is fairly clearly organized but may have a few problems in the arrangement or selection of evidence.

The essay attempts but does not carry through a clear plan for organizing appropriate evidence.

The essay lacks a plan for presenting, organizing, or selecting evidence.

PARAGRAPHS

Paragraphs are effectively developed, including topic sentences that support the essay’s thesis, unified and specific details, and clear transitions that show how ideas are related.

Paragraphs are well developed, generally including topic sentences that support the essay’s thesis, specific details, and transitions that show how ideas are

related.

Paragraphs generally include topic sentences, some supporting details, and some transitions that show how ideas are related.

Paragraphs may have weak or poorly focused topics with insufficient detail.

Paragraphs lack focus, detail, or connection to a central point.

SOURCE INTEGRATION

Source information is well-integrated, appropriately formatted, and thoroughly and explicitly supports the thesis and/or supporting information.

Source information is present and generally supports the thesis and/or supporting information though relevance or connection may not be entirely clear.

Source information is present and may support the thesis and/or supporting information but may lack clear connection.

Source information is present but does not clearly support the thesis and may be lacking in connection, context, or content.

Source information is not present or is not relevant to overall purpose or thesis.

SENTENCES

Sentences are clear, concise, and varied in length and pattern in accord with the essay’s purpose.

Sentences are usually clear and concise, with variations in length and pattern.

Sentences are generally clear and correct but may not be concise or varied.

Sentences may be unclear, wordy, or poorly constructed.

Sentences are often unclear or incorrectly constructed.

AUDIENCE AWARENESS

The essay uses an appropriate tone and level of diction, including precise and specific words appropriate to its purpose and audience.

The essay generally uses an appropriate tone and level of diction, including

precise and specific words.

The essay generally uses words correctly but may use a limited selection of words or suffer from inconsistencies in tone or level of diction.

The essay may rely on a limited selection of words or misuse words.

The essay frequently misuses or confuses words.

FORMATTING

MLA format is correct in heading, citations, and Works Cited page.

MLA format is mostly correct in heading, citations, and Works Cited page, though a few errors may be present.

MLA format is generally correct in heading, citations, and Works Cited page, but errors and/or inconsistencies are present.

MLA format is irregular in heading, citations, and Works Cited page with multiple errors present.

MLA formatting is absent or used inconsistently.

MECHANICS

The essay uses grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling appropriate for college essays with only occasional minor errors.

The essay generally uses grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling

appropriate for college essays but may have a few inadvertent errors or problems with complicated issues.

The essay includes only a few major errors but may have minor errors in grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.

The essay has major and minor errors in grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.

The essay has significant errors in basic grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.