A+ to A-	B+ to B-	C+ to C-	D+ to D-	F
1	Clearly stated, detailed, and appropriate thesis	Thesis is appropriate to the topic and clearly stated	Contains a thesis, but may not be entirely appropriate or clearly stated	Fails to state a clear thesis or thesis demonstrates a lack of understanding of the topic	Thesis not stated or inappropriate to the topic
2	Introduction is well-written and adequately previews the main points of the essay	Adequately previews the main points of the essay	Introduction previews most of the main points of the essay (may contain some inappropriate information or poor writing)	Introduction fails to preview the essay, is unclear, or contains inappropriate/irrelevant information
3	Possesses a meaningful conclusion that is not redundant	Possesses a meaningful conclusion	Possesses only a simplistic conclusion that does not add value to the essay	Conclusion is unclear and/or not closely related to the thesis	Totally lacks a conclusion
4	Main points are arranged in a logical order to point out similarities and differences		Main points could better be arranged in a different order	Essay lacks organization
5	Fully responds to all of the required topics	Covers major topics (may not give appropriate development to all topics or omit some areas)	Omits one or more topics	Omits several major topics	Omits all major topics
6	Easily identifiable main points (good topic sentences)		One or more main points may not be clearly stated or understandable	Main points are often not clear or easily identifiable	Main points are not clear or easily identifiable
7	Main points are extensively defended/supported with well-chosen examples from the readings	All main points are defended/supported	Not all main points are defended/supported	Main points are often poorly supported or undefended with examples	Main points are poorly supported or undefended with examples
8	Free from all factual errors and false implications	Free from major factual errors and false implications	Contains one or more significant factual errors	Contains factual errors that cast doubt on the student's understanding of the material	Contains significant factual errors that cast doubt on the student's understanding of the material
9	Avoids irrelevant or off-topic information	Largely avoids irrelevant or off-topic information	Contains some irrelevant or off-topic information	Contains frequently irrelevant or off-topic information	Contains largely irrelevant or off-topic information
10	Writing is well organized and easy to follow	Writing is generally well-organized and easy to follow (may include some awkward areas)	Some portions are poorly organized and/ or include unclear areas, poor word choices, repetitiveness, or awkwardness	Writing is often unclear, repetitive, or awkward	Writing is unclear or awkward
11	Free of writing errors or errors are extremely insignificant	Free of most writing errors	Contains several easily avoidable writing errors	Contains numerous writing errors that detract from the understanding of the essay	Contains numerous significant writing errors that detract from the understanding of the essay
	Grade =	Writing Errors Checklist	Conjunctions	Cap./Punctuation	Tense
	Total Points =		Omissions	Subject-verb agreement	Third Person