SCORE OF 6
An essay in this category is outstanding, demonstrating clear and consistent mastery, although it may have a few minor errors. A typical essay

effectively and insightfully develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates outstanding critical thinking, using clearly appropriate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position
is well organized and clearly focused, demonstrating clear coherence and smooth progression of ideas
exhibits skillful use of language, using a varied, accurate, and apt vocabulary
demonstrates meaningful variety in sentence structure
is free of most errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
SCORE OF 5
An essay in this category is effective, demonstrating reasonably consistent mastery, although it will have occasional errors or lapses in quality. A typical essay

effectively develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates strong critical thinking, generally using appropriate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position
is well organized and focused, demonstrating coherence and progression of ideas
exhibits facility in the use of language, using appropriate vocabulary
demonstrates variety in sentence structure
is generally free of most errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
SCORE OF 4
An essay in this category is competent, demonstrating adequate mastery, although it will have lapses in quality. A typical essay

develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates competent critical thinking, using adequate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position
is generally organized and focused, demonstrating some coherence and progression of ideas
exhibits adequate but inconsistent facility in the use of language, using generally appropriate vocabulary
demonstrates some variety in sentence structure
has some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
SCORE OF 3
An essay in this category is inadequate, but demonstrates developing mastery, and is marked by one or more of the following weaknesses:

develops a point of view on the issue, demonstrating some critical thinking, but may do so inconsistently or use inadequate examples, reasons, or other evidence to support its position
is limited in its organization or focus, but may demonstrate some lapses in coherence or progression of ideas
displays developing facility in the use of language, but sometimes uses weak vocabulary or inappropriate word choice
lacks variety or demonstrates problems in sentence structure
contains an accumulation of errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
SCORE OF 2
An essay in this category is seriously limited, demonstrating little mastery, and is flawed by one or more of the following weaknesses:

develops a point of view on the issue that is vague or seriously limited, demonstrating weak critical thinking, providing inappropriate or insufficient examples, reasons, or other evidence to support its position
is poorly organized and/or focused, or demonstrates serious problems with coherence or progression of ideas
displays very little facility in the use of language, using very limited vocabulary or incorrect word choice
demonstrates frequent problems in sentence structure
contains errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics so serious that meaning is somewhat obscured
SCORE OF 1
An essay in this category is fundamentally lacking, demonstrating very little or no mastery, and is severely flawed by one or more of the following weaknesses:

develops no viable point of view on the issue, or provides little or no evidence to support its position
is disorganized or unfocused, resulting in a disjointed or incoherent essay
displays fundamental errors in vocabulary
demonstrates severe flaws in sentence structure
contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that persistently interfere with meaning
SCORE OF 0
Essays not written on the essay assignment will receive a score of zero.