Advanced Proficient

Proficient

Basic

Content

   Point by point analysis with supportive details that are effectively and uniquely used.

   Supporting details and examples are clearly developed and insightful.

   A variety of transitions are used for paragraph unity and coherence.

   Topic sentences are clearly worded and succinct.

   Four or more support quotations are used within the body of the essay to support thesis.

Analysis is insightful and complete.

   Point by point analysis with supportive details well done.

   Supporting details and examples from the selections are present.

   Transitions are used for paragraph unity and coherence.

   Topic sentences are succinct and introduce the topic only.

   Three support quotations are used within the body of the essay to support thesis.

 Analysis is complete

   Supportive details are poorly made.

   Assumes reader knows selections; details and examples are not fully developed.

   Transitions are used occasionally; unity and coherence are hindered.

   Topic sentences include supporting reason, detail, example.

   Two or fewer support quotations are used within the body of essay.

Analysis is incomplete or obvious.

Structure Introduction

   The thesis statement is a clearly expressed as an original statement.

   The body paragraphs are introduced according to the essay’s sequence and supports the thesis.

   The thesis statement is expressed clearly.

   The body paragraphs follow the sequence of the essay.

   Thesis statement is not present or unclear.

   The body paragraphs are not clearly or fully introduced. Sequencing in  introduction is awkward.

Conclusion

   The body paragraphs are concluded according to the essay’s sequence and thesis.

   The body paragraphs conclude in logical order.

   The body paragraphs are concluded incompletely or out of sequence.

   The thesis statement concludes the essay.

   Content is concluded there are no new ideas presented.

   The thesis statement concludes the essay.

   Content is concluded. There are no new ideas presented

   Thesis statement is incomplete or not present.

   Content is not concluded. New ideas are presented.

STYLE VOICE

   Uses an appropriate point of view. (3^rd)

   Uses words in concise and precise and correct manner. All are at or above grade level.

   Uses active voice a majority of the time. 

   Vocabulary used is consistently at grade level or above.

   Uses formal language.

   Uses an appropriate point of view.

   Uses words in a concise, precise, and correct manner. Most are at or above grade level.

   Uses active and passive voice almost equally.

   Grade level vocabulary is used. 

   Formal language is generally used.

   Point of view is confused.

   Words are used incorrectly or below grade level.

   Passive voice is used a majority of the time.

   Grade level or below vocabulary is used.

   Informal language is used.

Mechanics Usage

Errors in capitalization are not present.

   Errors in mechanics are few and do not interfere with message.

   Errors in usage are few and do not interfere with the message.

   A variety of sentence structures and sentence patterns are used to make the writing interesting and lively.

   Errors in capitalization are few.

   Errors in mechanics are present but do not interfere with the message.

   Errors in usage are present but do not interfere with the message.

   A variety of sentence structures and sentence patterns are used.

   Too many errors in capitalization are present.

   Errors in mechanics interfere with the message.

   Errors in usage are many and interfere with the message.

   Sentence structures and patterns are not varied.