Contemporary Political Though

CATEGORY

Exceeds the standard

Meets the standard

Partially meets the standard

Attempted but does not meet the standard

0 = Not attempted

score

Introduction Organization

(5)

There is a well-focused Thesis Statement that introduces the essay and clearly addresses all elements of the writing prompt.

Introduction clearly states the main topic, adequately addressing the writing prompt.

Introduction is somewhat clear, but only partially addresses the writing prompt

Introduction does not address the writing prompt.

No introduction is present

Support for Thesis (Concrete Details)

(10)

Each body paragraph contains a topic sentence and relevant, telling, quality concrete details that give the reader important information that goes beyond the obvious or predictable. All supporting details serve to substantiate the thesis statement.

Each body paragraph contains a topic sentence that is adequately supported by relevant concrete details. Most supporting details serve to substantiate the thesis statement.

Topic sentence is stated in some body paragraphs. Supporting details are relevant, but some key issues are unsupported. Support for the thesis statement is weak.

Topic sentence is weak. Supporting details and information are typically unclear or not related to the topic. There is a seemingly random collection of information Thesis statement lacks proof.

No topic sentence is present OR no concrete details are present. The paragraph contains no facts, details, or examples.

Commentary

(15)

Essay contains explanation, analysis, discussion, comparison and/or contrast that demonstrate mastery and depth of understanding.

Essay contains, explanation, analysis, discussion, comparison and/or contrast that logically supports the concrete details

Essay contains explanation, analysis, discussion, comparison and/or contrast that is weak, incomplete, or partially illogical.

Essay contains explanation, analysis, discussion, comparison and/or contrast that is off topic illogical.

No commentary is present. The paragraph contains no attempt to explain, discuss, analyze, evaluate, compare and/or contrast the factual information (concrete details) it presents.

Conclusion (Organization)

(10)

The conclusion is strong and logical; provides a clear answer to the question, “So what?”

The conclusion is logical and adequately answers the question, “So what?”

The conclusion is logical, but does not answer the question, “So what?”

Conclusion is illogical.

There is no clear conclusion, the paper just ends.

Conventions Grammar, Usage & Sentence Structure

Spelling & Punctuation

(5)

The essay contains no errors in grammar, word usage or sentence structure.

Essay contains no errors in spelling, capitalization or punctuation

The essay contains 1 or 2 errors in grammar, word usage or sentence structure.

Essay contains 1 or 2 errors in spelling, capitalization or punctuation.

The essay contains 3 or 4 errors in grammar, word usage or sentence structure.

Essay contains 3 or 4 errors in spelling, capitalization or punctuation.

The essay is readable, but contains 5 or more errors in grammar, word usage or sentence structure.

The essay is readable, but contains 5 or more errors in spelling, capitalization or punctuation.

The essay is unreadable because of errors in grammar, word usage or sentence structure.

The essay is unreadable because of errors in spelling capitalization or punctuation.

APA, formatting, referencing etc

(5)

.APA format is used accurately and consistently in the paper and on the “References” page

APA format is used with minor errors

There are frequent errors. A reference page is present but not in APA format

No referencing , format of the document is not recognizable as APA