Essay Evaluation
Sentence-level organization	
	Spelling, punctuation, grammar.	poor----weak----fair----good---v.good--excellent
	Clear and succinct sentences.	poor----weak----fair----good--v.good--excellent
Coherence of paragraphs	
Each paragraph should develop one point.  A paragraph shouldn’t simply say things vaguely relevant to the topic at hand, but should advance your argument one step further.  The reader should be able to make out what a given paragraph is arguing, why it starts and ends where it does, and how it follows from the paragraph before.
	Point of each paragraph is clear, and advances your overall argument.	poor----weak----fair----good----v.good---excellent

	The logical relationship between paragraphs is clear and consistent.
	poor----weak----fair----good----v.good---excellent

Quality of argument	
	Clear thesis statement.	poor----weak----fair----good----v.good---excellent
	Stake out a clear position, one that is distinct from alternatives.  Make clear the relationship of your view to that of the texts you’re discussing.	poor----weak----fair----good----v.good---excellent
	Avoid unsupported assertions and overblown rhetoric.  Give your reader reasons to agree with you.	poor----weak----fair----good----v.good---excellent
	Anticipate responses and objections.	poor----weak----fair----good----v.good---excellent
	Organize your facts/assertions/claims in a logical way: which assertions are objections to your claims? which support your claims? What are your responses to possible objections?	poor----weak----fair----good----v.good---excellent
	Good use of quotes and citations.  (Quotes should be used sparingly, where you want to support your point)	poor----weak----fair----good----v.good---excellent
Demonstrate clear understanding of readings	
	Correctly represent the content of readings!	poor----weak----fair----good----v.good---excellent
	Appreciate what’s distinctive about a source's position: what is he or she arguing against?	poor----weak----fair----good----v.good---excellent
Make good use of the word limit	
	Don’t go over the limit, or too far under it.		too short-------------right on-------------too long
	Write succinctly — make the best use of limited space.	poor----weak----fair----good----v.good---excellent
Overall quality of the essay	
	On topic	poor----weak----fair----good----v.good---excellent
	Succinct	poor----weak----fair----good----v.good---excellent
	Clear	poor----weak----fair----good----v.good---excellent
	Polished	poor----weak----fair----good----v.good---excellent
	Insightful	poor----weak----fair----good----v.good---excellent