Name:

Writing Mechanics
CATEGORY / Distinguished / Proficient / Limited / Unsatisfactory
Introductory Paragraph / Introductory paragraph includes excellent explanation or detail sentences which provide background and support the thesis directly / Introductory paragraph includes explanation or detail sentences which provide background and support the thesis / Introductory paragraph includes related sentences which provide background, but may not support the thesis / Introductory paragraph fails to include related sentences which support the topic
Thesis Statement / Introductory paragraph includes a strong, properly formatted, defensible thesis that addresses the topic / Introductory paragraph includes a thesis that addresses the topic / Introductory paragraph lacks a clearly developed thesis / Introductory paragraph lacks thesis
Body Paragraph Construction / Each Body paragraph includes a topic sentence that summarizes how body paragraph will address thesis, as well as at least three pertinent, detailed, explanatory sentences, and a concluding sentence. / Body paragraphs include a topic sentence that addresses the thesis, some pertinent detailed explanatory sentences and a concluding sentence that somewhat sums up paragraph / Body paragraphs include a topic sentence that fails to address the thesis appropriately, the explanatory sentences are not extremely detailed, and the concluding sentence somewhat sums up paragraph / Body paragraphs are missing either a topic sentence, explanatory sentences or a concluding sentence
Concluding Paragraph Construction / Concluding paragraph includes a topic sentence that transitions appropriately, a concise summary that addresses all body paragraphs, and a clear restatement of thesis / Concluding paragraph includes a topic sentence, a summary of body paragraph ideas, and a restatement of thesis / Concluding paragraph fails to adequately restate thesis or points of body paragraph / Concluding paragraph does not address argument of essay
Organization / Information is very organized in a logical (chronological) order / Information is fairly well organized in a fairly logical (chronological) order / Information is somewhat organized; order of information does not make complete sense / The information appears to be disorganized.
Mechanics and Sentence Structure / Sentences are well constructed and essay contains only incidental grammatical errors, if any / Most sentences are well constructed and essay contains very few grammatical errors / Sentences are sometimes well constructed and some grammatical errors exist / Sentences are generally not well constructed and many grammatical errors exist

Please note: If you do not make an attempt to fulfill the requirements for any of the above categories, your essay will be scored as missing (zero credit) for those relevant categories.

Name:

MLA Reference
CATEGORY / Distinguished / Proficient / Limited / Unsatisfactory
MLA Works Cited and Format / Presents a properly formatted MLA works cited page: alphabetical, double-spaced, proper indentation, proper headings, and properly formatted page numbers / Works cited/Paper fails to include one of the qualities listed (in distinguished) / Works cited/Paper fails to include two of the qualities listed (in distinguished) / Works cited/Paper formatting is attempted, but fails to meet most of the formatting criteria
In-Text Citations / Always presents properly formatted MLA citations within text / Usually presents properly formatted MLA citations within text / Sometimes presents properly formatted MLA citations within text / Rarely presents properly formatted MLA citations within text
Historical Analysis
CATEGORY / Distinguished / Proficient / Limited / Unsatisfactory
Knowledge of Historical Content / Presents substantial specific historical details from research in each and every paragraph / Presents some specific historical details in all paragraphs or presents substantial specific historical details in some paragraphs but not all / Presents minimal specific historical details in some paragraphs / Offers little to no relevant historical evidence
Analysis of Relevant
Historical Evidence / Presents clear, effective analysis using substantial amounts of relevant historical evidence on the appropriate topic; supports the essay thesis with this information; attends to each chosen aspects (economic, political, cultural/social): provides appropriate analysis of both immediate and long term impact / Presents analysis that is mostly clear using some relevant historical evidence on the appropriate topic; supports the essay thesis with this information; attends to each chosen aspects (economic, political, cultural/social), but may focus on one aspect inappropriately; provides appropriate analysis of immediate and long term impact / Presents minimal effective analysis using some relevant historical evidence on the appropriate topic; fails to fully support the essay thesis with this information; / Offers little to no analysis of historical evidence

Please note: If you do not make an attempt to fulfill the requirements for any of the above categories, your essay will be scored as missing (zero credit) for those relevant categories.