6

Analytical Reasoning
(Analysis)

Evidence Choice and

Explanation

Writing Effectiveness
(Organization)

Mechanics/
Conventions

Thesis statement makes a

clear claim and proposes
three specific points that are
strongly supportable
Provides valid and
comprehensive analysis of
each point

Evidence for each point is

appropriate, precise, and
thorough
Explanation of each piece of
evidence is detailed and accurate

Is logically organized and clearly focused,

demonstrating clear coherence and smooth
progression of ideas
Introduction is complete and effective
Paragraphs include an effective beginning,
middle, and end
Transitions are clear and smooth
Conclusion strongly emphasizes key points and
gives a clear sense of completeness

Shows clear understanding of

expectations as outlined on test.

Thesis statement makes a

clear claim and proposes
two points that are strongly
supportable.
Provides valid and adequate
analysis of each point

There is an issue with one of the

following:
Evidence for each point is
appropriate, precise, and
thorough
Explanation of each piece of
evidence is detailed and accurate

Almost fulfills all expectations for the

test but shows a pattern of mistakes for
one explicitly taught convention.

Thesis statement makes a

claim and proposes two
points that are supportable.
Provides valid and adequate
analysis of most points

There is an issue with both of the

following, or there is a pattern
with one recurring issue:
Evidence for each point is
appropriate, precise, and
thorough
Explanation of each piece of
evidence is detailed and accurate

Is organized and focused, demonstrating

coherence and progression of ideas
Introduction is complete and effective
Paragraphs include an effective beginning,
middle, and end
Transitions are evident and functional
Conclusion emphasizes key points and gives a
sense of completeness
Is generally organized and focused,
demonstrating some coherence and progression
of ideas
Introduction is complete
Paragraphs include a beginning, middle, and end
Transitions are evident but not always smooth
Conclusion adequately emphasizes key points
and gives a sense of completeness

Thesis statement makes a

claim but has one clearly
unsupportable point, or the
reasons are unclear or not
well-differentiated.
Provides some valid but
inadequate analysis of some
points

There are several issues with

both of the following:
Evidence is appropriate, precise,
and thorough
Explanation of each piece of
evidence is detailed and accurate

Somewhat fulfills expectations outlined

on the testshows a pattern of mistakes
for three types of conventions, or
numerous instances of mistakes.

Thesis statement makes a

claim but may provide only
one point or two
unsupportable points.
Provides invalid or vague
analysis of most points

There are issues with the

following for all evidence:
Evidence is appropriate, precise,
and thorough
Explanation of each piece of
evidence is detailed and accurate

Thesis statement makes an

exceedingly weak claim
that is not supported by
reasons in the thesis.
Does not provide analysis
of points or points are not
evident in the writing

Evidence is clearly insufficient.

Is limited in its organization or focus, and may

demonstrate some lapses in coherence or
progression of ideas
Introduction is partially complete
Paragraphs include evidence of a beginning,
middle, and end
Transitions are sometimes attempted
Conclusion inadequately emphasizes key points
and gives no sense of completeness
Is poorly organized and/or focused, or
demonstrates serious problems with coherence
or progression of ideas
Introduction is clearly lacking components
Paragraphs may be missing a beginning, middle,
or end
Transitions are not evident or are not appropriate
Conclusion is general and gives little sense of
completeness.
Is disorganized or unfocused, resulting in a
disjointed or incoherent essay
No effort at an introduction beyond the thesis
statement is present
Paragraphs do not include a beginning, middle,
and end
There are no transitions
Conclusion is absent or ineffective
Expectations:
Intro includes hook, major work title and author,
transition to thesis, thesis
Thesis: takes a position, has a road map for the
essay
Body paragraphs effectively ordered
Body paragraphs organized:
Topic sentence
Context given for each piece of evidence
Logical order of supporting sentences
Effective clincher/transition sentence

EV 1_____ 2_____ 3_____

EXP 1_____ 2_____ 3_____

Somewhat fulfills expectations outlined

on testshows a pattern of mistakes for
two types of conventions or instances for
a number of different expectations.

Shows limited understanding of the

writing conventions for this test
showing patterns of mistakes for a
number of explicitly taught academic
conventions.

Shows no understanding of the

conventional expectations enumerated for
the testmaking numerous mistakes
throughout the writing.

T1 Expectations:
Author and Title Formatting
Avoid use of 1st /2nd person
Quotation integration
Quotation citation
Capitalization errors
Historical past/literary
present
Quotes within quotes