Accomplished
Introduction, thesis, and/or claims/topic sentences are:
interesting
clear
specific/arguable

Proficient
Introduction, thesis, and/or claims/topic sentences are:
adequately clear
basic or simple

Developing
Introduction, thesis, and/or claims/topic sentences are:
confusing
undeveloped
vague or inaccurate

Inadequate
Introduction, thesis, and/or claims/topic sentences are:
absent
awkward or unclear
unrelated to promp

Data/Concrete details are
compelling and meaningful; sharply focused on supporting the topic sentence
sophisticated quote integration

Data/Concrete details are
offer good support of topic sentence;
smoothly integrated
lead-ins provide necessary context

Data/Concrete details
offer basic support of topic sentence
are adequately blended
lead-in lacks appropriate context

Data/Concrete details are
general or thin
poorly or awkwardly integrated into sentences

Data/Concrete details are
absent
unrelated to topic sentence claim
not integrated into student sentence

Warrants are
insightful
mature
original

Warrants are
thoughtful
solid and clear

Warrants demonstrate the ability to analyze and connect evidence but is
obvious
generic
vague or superficial

Warrants are
repetitive
unrelated to CDs
irrelevant
very superficial

Warrants are
wholly or partially absent
plot summary

Clear, logical, engaging organization with orderly progression of ideas
Concluding sentences shows skillful synthesis
Conclusion shows skillful synthesis

Strong organization and logic; good transitions
Concluding sentences show some synthesis
Conclusion shows some synthesis

Relatively clear organization
Concluding sentences exist but is basic or redundant
Basic or redundant conclusion

Limited organization
Cursory or irrelevant concluding sentences
Cursory or irrelevant conclusion

Lacks clear organization and development
Absent concluding sentences
Absent conclusion

Eloquent and vigorous vocabulary; sentences have sophisticated, controlled, and varied structure
Errors are so few and so minor that the reader can easily overlook them

Appropriate and occasionally strong vocabulary; sentences have strong and varied structure
Errors are few and do not distract the reader

Familiar vocabulary; some variation in sentence length and structure; a little choppiness and/or wordiness
Errors are accumulating

Inappropriate, informal, or trite vocabulary; little variation in sentence length and structure; some choppiness and/or wordiness
Errors are numerous enough to distract the reader

Incorrect vocabulary; no variation in sentence length or structure; choppiness and wordiness
Unacceptable number of errors making the piece difficult to comprehend