Case Study: Rough Draft Begun

Thesis/Claim

An exceptional thesis/claim that responds to the

assignment 10 points

An effective thesis/claim that responds to the

assignment 7.5 points

A somewhat effective

thesis/claim that somewhat

responds to the assignment

5 points

No thesis/claim, one that does not

make sense, or one that does not

respond to the assignment 2.5 points

A statement of your argument; the essay’s

“main idea”

Supporting Ideas/ Evidence

Exceptional supporting

ideas/evidence that make logical

sense 10 points

Effective supporting

ideas/evidence that make logical

sense 7.5 points

Supporting ideas/evidence, which somewhat

make sense 5 points

Either very few or no supporting

ideas/evidence or ideas/evidence

which do not make sense 2.5 points

Ideas and evidence that support your

thesis/claim, including appropriate set-ups for secondary

sources are exemplified.

Analysis of Supporting

Ideas/Evidence

Exceptional explanations that

connect the ideas/evidence to the thesis/claim

10 points

Effective explanations that

connect the ideas/evidence

to the thesis/claim

7.5 points

Somewhat effective

explanations that connect the

ideas/evidence to the thesis/claim

5 points

Ineffective or no connection of

ideas/evidence to the thesis/claim

2.5 points

A logical connection of ideas/evidence to

your thesis/claim including your

strengths, weaknesses,

opportunities and threats are consistently displayed.

Introduction

An exceptional introduction that

includes a thesis/claim, its

context and a preview of the

essay body 10 points

An effective introduction that

includes a thesis/claim, its

context and a preview of the

essay body 7.5 points

A somewhat effective

introduction that includes a

thesis/claim, its context and a preview of the

essay body 5 points

No introduction, or an introduction

without a thesis/claim,

context or preview of the

essay body 2.5 points

The preview of the essay body includes a

thesis/claim and gives its context.

Body Paragraphs and Paragraphs with exceptional topic

Paragraphs with effective topic

Paragraphs with somewhat

Paragraphs with ineffective or no

Transitions sentences, supporting

sentences and concluding sentences

Exceptional transitions

between and within

paragraphs 10 points

sentences, supporting

sentences and concluding sentences Effective

transitions between and

within paragraphs 7.5 points

effective topic sentences, supporting

sentences and concluding sentences Somewhat effective

transitions between and

within paragraphs 5 points

topic sentences, supporting

sentences or concluding sentences

Ineffective or no transitions

between or within paragraphs 2.5 points

Organization at the paragraph level displays each

paragraph has a clear topic sentence stating

its main idea and supporting sentences.

All alternatives and solutions are

described and clearly evaluated.

Connections from one paragraph flow

grammatically to each other within

paragraphs with central issues.

Conclusion An exceptional

conclusion 10 points

An effective conclusion 7.5 points

A somewhat effective or off- topic conclusion

5 points

Ineffective or no conclusion 2.5 points

With a clear and concise implantation

plan a fresh restatement of

thesis/claim is shown as a thoughtful

ending to the essay.

Style

Exceptionally advanced and

complex vocabulary,

frequently varied sentence

structure and length

10 points

Effectively advanced and

complex vocabulary, occasionally

varied sentence structure and

length 7.5 points

A mostly accurate vocabulary, some varied sentence structure and

length 5 points

Inaccurate vocabulary; rarely varied sentence structure and

length 2.5 points

Vocabulary, sentence structure and variety used to establish a

unique writer’s voice

Tone A tone that shows

an exceptional awareness of

audience,

A tone that shows an effective

awareness of

A tone that shows a somewhat

effective awareness of

A tone that shows ineffective or no

awareness of audience,

purpose and occasion 10 points

audience, purpose and

occasion 7.5 points

audience, purpose and occasion

5 points

purpose and occasion

2.5 points

An appropriate use of language that shows

an awareness of audience, purpose

and occasion

Grammar & Usage

Exceptional control of

grammar and writing

conventions with no errors 10 points

Effective control of grammar and

writing conventions, with

few errors that do not prevent understanding

7.5 points

Somewhat effective control of

grammar and writing

conventions, with occasional errors

that limit understanding

5 points

A lack of control of grammar and

writing conventions, with

frequent errors that prevent

understanding 2.5 points

No unintended run- ons or fragments,

correct subject-verb & pronoun- antecedent

agreement, correct tense, correct punctuation,

capitalization and spelling

Formatting Correct

formatting 10 points

Mostly correct formatting 7.5 points

Somewhat correct formatting

5 points

Incorrect formatting 2.5 points

12-point font, correct margins and spacing

and/or other assignment-specific