Wasting Time

Overall Score (out of 5)

Description

Criteria

5

The "5" essay demonstrates superior writing ability although occasional faults may be present.

· Has a clear thesis which addresses the topic and responds effectively to all aspects of the task;

· Is logically organized and divided into well-structured paragraphs;

· Is fully developed with specific details, examples and arguments that cogently support the author’s thesis;

· Has an effective, fluent style marked by sentence variety and a clear command of language;

· Is largely free of errors in grammar, punctuation and mechanics.

4

The “4” essay demonstrates strong writing ability.

· Responds to all or most aspects of the topic with a clear thesis (implied or explicit);

· Is organized clearly;

· Is developed with details, evidence, examples and arguments that are relevant to the thesis;

· Has a readable style with effective word choice and some sentence variety;

· Is generally free of errors in grammar, punctuation and mechanics.

3

The “3” essay demonstrates adequate writing ability.

· Provides a thesis that responds to all or most of the topic at least implicitly;

· Is organized in a sequential (if not always logical) manner that is consistent with paragraph conventions;

· Offers some supporting evidence/reasons and attempts to elaborate with some details;

· Is written in correct sentences, and word choices are correct, although possibly vague and/or repetitious at times;

· Demonstrates basic control of grammar, punctuation and mechanics so that sentence level errors, if present, do not confuse the reader.

2

The “2” essay demonstrates marginal writing ability with one or more weaknesses.

· Provides a weak or unclear thesis and/or an inadequate response to the topic;

· Uses an improper or confused organizational structure;

· Provides general, superficial, sparse or irrelevant supporting evidence/reasons;

· Contains confusing sentence structure and vague or imprecise word choice;

· Demonstrates limited control of grammar, punctuation and mechanics through distracting or confusing errors.

1

The “1” essay demonstrates weak writing ability with more than one serious weakness.

· Responds with a weak or no thesis, or the writer appears to misunderstand the topic;

· Provides very little organizational structure;

· Offers little or no supporting evidence or only evidence that is irrelevant to the topic;

· Is difficult to read or understand due to problems in sentence structure and word choice;

· Contains numerous errors in grammar, punctuation or mechanics that interfere with meaning and suggests a lack of control of written English conventions.

0

The “0” essay demonstrates very weak writing ability with severe weaknesses.

· Demonstrates little or no understanding of the topic;

· Has no discernible organization and appears random in thought;

· Includes no evidence or reasons and may only repeat the central idea;

· Demonstrates an inability to form sentences or choose correct vocabulary;

· Contains numerous errors in grammar, punctuation or mechanics that suggests a lack of familiarity with written English conventions.