A Sports Team Then and Now

1. Title:

√ Appropriate original title

– No title or inappropriate title (name of assignment/topic of essay)

2. Thesis:

√ Thesis identifies and makes an assertion about the topic

– Thesis does not identify or does not make an assertion about the topic/Missing thesis statement

3. Essay Unity:

√ Essay maintains a general focus on one topic

– Essay organization around a central idea seems weak/Essay as a whole lacks unity or coherence

4. Paragraph Unity:

√ Paragraphs maintain a general focus on one topic

– One or more paragraphs lack unity

5. Organization of ideas:

√ Ideas are presented in a logical order

– One or more ideas seem out of place/difficult to follow

6. Use of transitions:

√ Effective use of transitions

– Ineffective or inappropriate use of transitions

7. Development of ideas:

√ Adequate development of ideas

– Insufficient development of ideas

8. Relevance of ideas:

√ Minimal explanation of relevance/significance of ideas

– Insufficient explanation of relevance/significance of ideas

9. Sentence structure:

√ No noticeable errors in sentence structure

– Noticeable errors in sentence structure (fragments, run-ons, comma splices, garbled sentences)

1. Formal style:

√ Style is generally formal, with few exceptions

– Style is generally informal, non-standard, or unintelligible

1. Clarity of expression:

√ Expression of ideas is generally clear and concise/Few vague expressions

– Expression of ideas is generally vague/Several noticeable vague expressions

2. Usage:

√ Usage demonstrates basic knowledge in the subject area/Appropriate use of relevant terminology

– Noticeable errors in usage/Gratuitous, awkward, or inappropriate use of relevant terminology

3. Spelling/ Grammar/ Mechanics:

√ Few noticeable errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics

– Not edited/Several noticeable errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics (negates 3 √’s)

4. Manuscript appearance/MLA format:

√ Academic manuscript appearance/No more than one deviation from MLA format conventions

– Non-standard manuscript appearance/More than one deviation from MLA format conventions/Improper citation of sources (negates 3 √’s)

5. Specific assignment requirements:

√ Fulfills all assignment requirements (incl. logos, ethos, pathos)

– Fails to meet all specific assignment requirements

+2 points: A remarkable performance (all checks, 4-6 plusses)

+3 points: An exceptional performance (all checks, 7-9 plusses)

+4 points: An outstanding performance (all checks, 10-12 plusses)

+5 points: A phenomenal performance (all checks, 13-15 plusses)