General

Comments

Unsatisfactory

Needs
Improvement

Satisfactory

Exemplary

Introduction
(4 points)

- The

- The

- The

- The

Body
(6 points)

topic/question
the paper is
addressing is
not
discernable.
No thesis.
It is not clear
how the
argument will
be developed.

- No topic

- Some topic

sentences

- Quotations

are not
introduced or
analyzed
Claims are not
supported by
the text.
No transitions
between
paragraphs.

topic/question
the paper is
addressing is
vague or not
debatable.
There is a
thesis, but
isn't clearly
presented or
overly simple.
There is a
rough sketch
of how the
argument will
be developed.

sentences, but
these don't
either (a)
indicate what
the paragraph
will be about
or (b) how the
topic of the
paragraph is
related to the
larger thesis.
Non-specific
introductions
of quotations
and only
limited
analysis.
The transition
between
paragraphs is
confusing.

topic/question
the paper is
addressing is
clearly
articulated but
could be
refined.
The thesis is
clearly
presented, is
debatable,
but its
language
could be
refined.
The manner
in which it will
be developed
is clear but
could be
refined.

- Topic

sentences
both (a)
indicate the
theme of the
paragraph
and (b) how
the theme is
related to the
thesis, but
could be
improved in a
few cases.
Quotations
are for the
most part
introduced
and wellanalyzed.
The
transitions
between
paragraphs
are mostly
clear.

topic/question
the paper is
addressing is
clearly
articulated
and
rhetorically
persuasive.
The thesis is
clear,
debatable,
and
rhetorically
persuasive.
The manner
in which it will
be developed
is logical and
apparent.

- All

paragraphs
have clear
topic
sentences
that introduce
the theme of
the paragraph
and relate that
theme to the
thesis.
All quotations
are introduced
with sufficient
background
and context
and analyzed.
Connections
between each
part of the
paper is
clearly
indicated.

Points
Awarded

General
Comments

Unsatisfactory

Needs
Improvement

Satisfactory

Exemplary

Conclusion
(2.5 points)

- Fails to

- Gestures in

- The

- The

Style and
Citations
(2.5 points)

indicate the
significance of
the thesis.
The paper
simply ends
with the last
body
paragraph.

- Run-on

sentences,
awkward word
choice, poor
punctuation
Either no
citations or
mostly
incorrect
citations.

only vague or
abstract terms
to the
significance of
the thesis.
Merely
summarizes
what the
paper has
covered.

- Several

stylistic or
grammatical
errors.
Several
citation errors
or missing
citations.

significance
of the thesis
is clearly
articulated but
could be
expanded.
Recounts the
development
of the paper
in a novel
fashion.

Points
Awarded

significance of
the thesis is
clear and
persuasive.
Clearly
demonstrates
how the
argumentation
of the paper
leads to the
broader
conclusion.

- A few stylistic - Nearly no

or
grammatical
errors.
A few citation
errors or
missing
citations.

stylistic or
grammatical
flaws.
All citations
are correct
and used
appropriately.

Total Points: