Comparative Essay

Criteria

Levels of Achievement

Good/Excellent

Fair/Competent

Deficient

Points Earned

Length of Paper

9 to 10 points

Paper falls within the 1,000–1,500-word parameter.

7 to 8 points

Paper is between 800–1,000 or 1,500–1,700 words.

0 to 6 points

Paper is fewer than 800 words or greater than 1,700 words.

Principle Content

81 to 90 points

· The old-earth viewpoint related to the topic and the young-earth viewpoint related to the topic are addressed clearly and are well-supported.

· Old-earth and young-earth perspectives are compared and contrasted with obvious evidence of analysis and critical thinking.

· Content and purpose of the writing is clear.

· The audience is clear and appropriate for the topic.

· Supportive information is strong and addresses the writing focus.

61 to 80 points

· The old-earth viewpoint related to the topic and the young-earth viewpoint related to the topic are addressed; however, there is a lack of support and/or idea development.

· Old-earth and young-earth perspectives are compared and contrasted; however, there is insufficient depth of analysis and/or little evidence of critical thinking.

· Content is inconsistent (lack of clear purpose and /or clarity).

0 to 60 points

· The old-earth viewpoint related to the topic and/or the young-earth viewpoint related to the topic is/are not addressed.

· Old-earth and young-earth perspectives are not compared and/or not contrasted with one another.

· Content has unsatisfactory purpose, focus, and clarity.

· Supportive information is missing.

Criteria

Good/Excellent

Fair/Competent

Deficient

Points Earned

Organization and Structure (CCLO #1)

14 to 15 points

· Writing is well-structured, clear, and easy-to-follow.

· Introduction compellingly forecasts the topic and thesis.

· Each paragraph is unified and has a clear central idea.

· Transitional wording is present throughout the writing.

· Conclusion is a logical end to the writing.

11 to 13 points

· The writing is adequately organized with some areas difficult to follow.

· The introduction needs to provide a stronger gateway into the writing.

· Some paragraphs lack unity.

· Better transitions are needed to provide fluency of ideas.

· Conclusion is trite or barely serves its purpose.

0 to 10 points

· Organization and structure detract from the writer’s message.

· The introduction and/or conclusion is incomplete or missing.

· Paragraphs are not unified (more than 1 topic/missing or inadequate controlling and concluding sentences).

· Transitions are missing.

· Conclusion, if present, fails to serve its purpose.

Grammar and Diction (CCLO # 1, 3)

14 to 15 points

· The writing reflects grammatical, punctuation, and spelling standards.

· Language is accurate, appropriate, and effective.

· Writing’s tone is appropriate and highly effective.

11 to 13 points

· The writing contains some grammatical, punctuation, and/or spelling errors.

· Language is unclear, awkward, or inappropriate in parts.

· The writing’s tone is generally appropriate and moderately effective.

0 to 10 points

· The writing contains many grammatical, punctuation, and/or spelling errors.

· Language use is largely inaccurate or inappropriate.

· The writing’s tone is ineffective and/or inappropriate.

Format – Current APA Style

18 to 20 points

· Writing correctly follows formatting guidelines.

· Parenthetical and bibliographical source citations are used correctly and appropriately.

· Four or more scholarly sources are used in the paper.

13 to 17 points

· Writing follows most formatting guidelines, but some flaws are detected.

· Parenthetical and bibliographical source citations are incorrectly formatted or used.

· Only 2–3 literature sources are utilized and/or the sources used are not scholarly in nature.

0 to 12 points

· Writing lacks many elements of correct formatting.

· Parenthetical and bibliographical source citations and/or references are not provided.

· Fewer than 2 literature sources are utilized.

Total

Instructor’s Comments: