Student Name: ________________________________________

CATEGORY 4 - Above Standards 3 - Meets Standards 2 - Approaching Standards 1 - Below Standards S

Focus or Thesis The thesis statement The thesis statement The thesis statement The thesis statement
Statement names the topic of the names the topic of the outlines some or all of the does not name the topic
essay and outlines the essay. main points to be discussed AND does not preview
main points to be but does not name the what will be discussed.
discussed. topic.

Attention Grabber The introductory The introductory The author has an The introductory
paragraph has a strong paragraph has a hook or interesting introductory paragraph is not
hook or attention attention grabber, but it paragraph but the interesting AND is not
grabber that is is weak, rambling or connection to the topic is relevant to the topic.
appropriate for the inappropriate for the not clear.
audience. This could be audience.
a strong statement, a
relevant quotation,
statistic, or question
addressed to the reader.
Closing paragraph The conclusion is strong The conclusion is The author's position is There is no conclusion -
and leaves the reader recognizable. The restated within the closing the paper just ends.
solidly understanding author's position is paragraph, but not near the
the writer's position. restated within the first beginning.
Effective restatement of two sentences of the
the position statement closing paragraph.
begins the closing
paragraph.
Persuasiveness The final product was The final product was The final product was The product was not
extremely persuasive, persuasive, giving more somewhat persuasive, persuasive at all, giving
giving more than 3 than 2 supporting giving 2 or less supporting 1 or no supporting
supporting arguments. arguments. arguments. arguments.

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