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Advanced
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Proficient
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Developing
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Step-One
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Ideas |
Strong, original ideas are easy to identify, as well as strong evidence to support the writer’s ideas.
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Strong ideas are fairly easy to identify, as well as good evidence to support the writer’s ideas.
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Ideas are difficult to identify at times. Some evidence is strong, but others need support.
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Ideas are all over the place. Ideas need to be supported with more and stronger evidence.
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Lead
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The lead grabs the reader’s attention, connects to the topic of the essay, and is explained or referenced well in the introductory paragraph.
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The lead grabs the reader’s attention but is not explained or referenced well in the introductory paragraph.
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Lead is present but does not grab the reader’s attention.
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There is no lead.
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Thesis
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Thesis statement is clear and successfully ties into each body paragraph. It not only sets up the writer’s argument, but also functions as a “road-map” for the essay.
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Thesis statement is clear and successfully ties into each body paragraph.
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Thesis attempts to connect to the topic.
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There is no clear thesis statement.
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Body Paragraph Construction
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All paragraphs include a catchy introductory sentence, explanations, details, analysis of the information, and an unforgettable concluding sentence.
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All paragraphs include an introductory sentence, explanations or details, and a concluding sentence.
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Many paragraphs include an introductory sentence, explanations, details, and a conclusion sentence.
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Few paragraphs included all elements of a paragraph (introductory sentence, explanations, details, and a conclusion sentence). Sentences were typically unrelated within the paragraph.
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Conclusion
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Conclusion both appropriately summarizes the main ideas of the essay as well as makes the essay unforgettable.
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Conclusion appropriately summarizes the main ideas of the essay.
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There is a conclusion paragraph, but it does not summarize the essay.
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There is no conclusion present in the essay.
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Organization
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Essay is easy to follow. It is like having a road map. Nothing is out of place.
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The order of the essay works. The essay sort of follows a thesis or main idea statement.
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Some parts are definitely out of place. Some may not even be needed.
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It is hard to identify the main idea. Ideas seem to be going in all different directions with no controlling idea.
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Transitions Between and Within Paragraphs
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The essay flows easily to each new topic.
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There is an attempt to transition movements to new topics in the essay.
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There are some transitions between ideas.
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No transitions words are present. Paragraphs and essay sound choppy.
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Voice and Word Choice
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Writer’s voice is present in the essay. It is obvious that writer considered audience and tone when picking the words he/she used to make the essay unforgettable.
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Writer’s voice is somewhat evident. The writer has considered tone or audience when picking some of the words he/she used. Essay may sound “formulaic” at times.
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Essay does not have a personal quality. “Formula” of the essay is more apparent than voice. Word choice was considered with 1-3 words or phrases.
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Essay does not have a personal quality. Essay sounds very formulaic. Writer repeats many words.
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Quotes
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Quote(s) are correctly cited and punctuated. Author and page number (where applicable) are included. The quote is used and explained to highlight writer’s ideas.
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Quote(s) are included. At lease one is not cited or punctuated. The quote is used to support author’s ideas.
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Quote(s) are included but are not punctuated correctly and or do not have page numbers. The quote could support the author’s idea, but lacks the explanation to make that connection.
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Quotes are not included in the essay.
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Mechanics
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No grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors.
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Almost no grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Errors do not detract from the report.
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There are errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Errors attract the reader’s notice.
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There are many errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Errors detract the reader’s attention.
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Graphic Organizer or Outline
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Graphic organizer or outline has been completed and shows clear, logical relationships between all topics and subtopics. Writer shows great through in organization of information.
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Graphic organizer or outline has been completed and shows clear, logical relationships between most topics and subtopics.
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Graphic organizer or outline has been started and includes some topics and subtopics. Relationships between topics and subtopics are not always clear.
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Graphic organizer or outline has not been attempted or included.
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Draft(s)
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Detailed draft(s) is/are neatly presented and includes all required information. Drafts show a great progression of improvement in student’s writing.
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Draft(s) includes required information. Drafts show a progression of improvement in student’s writing.
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Draft(s) includes most required information. Drafts show some progression of improvement in student’s writing.
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Draft(s) is missing required information. Drafts show no progression of improvement in student’s writing.
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Total and Comments
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