Words and Sentence Structure 5 (30 - 35) 85-100% 4 (25 - 29) 70-84% 3 (21-24) 60-69% 1-2 (17-20) 50-59% Language use is generally sophisticated and concise, and includes a of sentence structures Essays use strong vocabulary, diction appropriate to task and audience, and demonstrate effective control of tone and a clear sense of voice Prose requires little if any editing for correct usage and mechanics, and may show an impressive command of academic English and control of conventions Writing generally shows competent sentence construction, including sentence variety with effective use of subordination and coordination Essays use reasonably effective vocabulary and convey some sense of voice and awareness of tone may require some editing to correct errors in usage and mechanics Sentences may be simple or awkward, and include little or no sentence variety Writing shows limited vocabulary, inappropriate voice, and/or ineffective tone Prose requires substantial editing to correct patterns of incorrect usage and mechanics Errors in sentence structure make comprehension difficult Word choice and make comprehension difficult Errors indicate the student would benefit from learning skills accommodations or other support Paragraph and Essay Structure 5 (30 - 35) 85-100% 4 (25 - 29) 70-84% 3 (21 - 24) 60-69% 1-2 (17-20) 50-59% Essays are clearly focused on well-defined topics with strong central ideas Essay organization shows evidence of strategic presentation of information Essays contain relevant, ample development, and use a variety of expository techniques and specific details Paragraphs are consistently unified and coherent with clear, effective transitions Essays are generally focused on well-defined topics with clear central ideas Essay organization is generally clear Essays are developed with details, and portfolio includes at one expository technique beyond narrative and description Paragraphs are generally focused and coherent and include satisfactory transitions Topic focus generally vague or imprecise Essays are not consistently organized Essays are not consistently developed; portfolio as a whole relies primarily on summary or narrative May demonstrate inconsistent paragraph focus and weak transitions Essay topics are unfocused Essays lack organization and development Ineffective paragraphing skills and/or lack of relations among ideas Depth of Content 5 (26-30) 85-100% 4 (21-25) 70-84% 3 (18-20) 60-69% 1-2 (15-17) 50-59%
Essays show strong evidence of critical thinking and independent analysis Essays demonstrate strong engagement with assigned texts and essay topics Essays incorporate textual materials with emerging sophistication and contextual understanding Well integrated textual references Essays show some evidence of critical thinking and independent thought Essays show general understanding of assigned texts and essay topics Essays incorporate some textual materials with some analysis Essays demonstrate some attempt to integrate textual references following stylistic conventions Critical thinking and analysis are weak Understanding of assigned texts and essay topics appears weak or overly literal Essays make little or no attempt at textual analysis Some textual references may be dropped in without commentary or documentation Critical thinking and analysis not evident Confusion regarding assigned texts and/or essay topics Lack of engagement with texts, topics, and ideas Evidence of extensive plagiarism Total Score: Comments: