write essay

Level

Criteria

4

· Well-developed thesis directly addressing the topic.

· Persuasive analysis of the topic, addressing all parts of the topic; analysis demonstrates thorough understanding of all sides of a question (as appropriate).

· Outstanding grasp of general historical issues raised by topic.

· Numerous specific examples demonstrate detailed knowledge of relevant history.

· Extremely well organized, with a clear introduction, argument, and conclusion.

· Well written in appropriate standard English; few grammatical errors or colloquialisms.

3

· Clear thesis addressing the topic.

· Good analysis of the topic, addressing most parts of the topic; analysis demonstrates understanding of all sides of a question (as appropriate), though may be unevenly developed.

· Good grasp of general historical issues raised by topic.

· Several specific examples demonstrate good knowledge of relevant history.

· Well organized, with an introduction, argument, and conclusion.

· Clearly written in appropriate standard English; some grammatical errors or colloquialisms.

2

· Thesis indicates some aspect of the topic; more a restatement of than a point about the topic.

· Analysis of the topic, addressing most parts of the topic; analysis adequate but unevenly developed.

· Some grasp of general historical issues raised by topic, though some significant issues may be omitted.

· Some specific examples demonstrate knowledge of relevant history; some clearly relevant examples omitted.

· Contains at least two of the following: introduction, argument, and conclusion; organization may be somewhat unclear.

· Understandable, but contains several grammatical errors or colloquialisms.

1

· No discernible thesis and/or serious misunderstanding of the topic.

· Descriptive rather than analytical; marginally related to the topic; significant logical gaps.

· Little grasp of general historical issues raised by topic.

· Few and/or erroneous specific examples demonstrate little knowledge of relevant history.

· Poorly organized: no clear introduction, argument, or conclusion.

· Pattern of grammatical errors and/or inappropriate colloquialisms.