Essay

Criteria

Levels of Achievement

Content 70%

Advanced 90-100%

Proficient 70-89%

Developing 1-69%

Not present

Argument

32 to 35 points

Argument is focused on the audience, convincing, and effective. The thesis statement is clear and helpful. Paragraphs are unified and focused.

25 to 31 points

Argument loses focus at times but is still largely convincing. Paragraphs lack unity at times, and the thesis statement is present but unclear.

1 to 24 points

Argument is ineffective, has gaps in logic, or is not convincing. Thesis statement and paragraph unity are not present.

0 points

Not present

Support

32 to 35 points

Argument is supported with strong, logical, and specific evidence collected from student’s classes, knowledge-learned, and skills-learned from areas of study.

25 to 31 points

Argument could use more support or doesn’t have very many specific examples. Or examples are not very specific and aren’t explained well.

1 to 24 points

Examples are poorly chosen, unhelpful, or too broad. Main points are not well supported.

0 points

Not present

Structure 30%

Advanced 90-100%

Proficient 70-89%

Developing 1-69%

Not present

Grammar, Punctuation, Diction, & Spelling

18 to 20 points

Conventions of proper English writing and academic tone are followed throughout with few mistakes that largely do not detract from professionalism of content.

14 to 17 points

Writing is somewhat unclear and has several mistakes that detract from the professionalism of the paper. Academic tone has some mistakes, but still serves the purpose.

1 to 13 points

Paper has many errors that severely detract from the professionalism of the paper. Academic tone is insufficient.

0 points

Not present

Formatting

10 points

Conventions of APA format are followed throughout with only minor errors that are difficult to detect.

7 to 9 points

One or two glaring errors in APA formatting with some smaller ones also evident that detract somewhat from professionalism of the paper.

1 to 6 points

Paper has many noticeable APA errors present that significantly decrease professionalism of the paper, but APA style is still evident.

0 points

Not present