Excellent Proficient Fair Inadequate

Thesis Thesis is debatable Thesis is Thesis is There is no

and clearly debatable and unclear, and it evident thesis.
presented in the is evident in the takes work for
opening and argument, but the reader to
concluding sections is not clearly fish it out of
of the paper. stated the text. Or,
thesis is self-
evident and not
debatable.
Argumentation Argument is Argument is Argument is There is no
presented clearly presented rambling, and discernable
and logically. clearly and there are argument, or
Logical points build logically, but contradictions no alternative
directly upon the points do not left interpretation
thesis and prior necessarily unaddressed. is presented.
points. build on each Counter
Counterarguments other. Counter arguments may
are addressed, arguments are be presented,
dismantled, and addressed, but but are left
folded into the many are left unaddressed.
main argument of hanging or are
the paper. dealt with
inadequately
Originality Argument is Argument is Argument is Argument is
original and strong and expository boring, weak
creative. Goes interesting, but rather than and
substantially plays it safe analytical. incoherent.
beyond points and does not Concepts are
raised in lecture push described, but
and readings. boundaries. dealt with
Concepts are Concepts are separately and
related to each put in not explicitly
other in interesting conversation related to each
and creative ways. with each other. other.
 Excellent Proficient Fair Inadequate
Use of Each logical point is Each logical point Several points A few pieces
Evidence backed up by one is backed up by of the argument of evidence
or more examples. one or more are left without are thrown in
Evidence is strong examples. evidence. here or there,
and sufficient to Evidence Evidence is but not used
advance the advances the insufficient. to defend the
argument. Potential argument, but it main
counterarguments may not be argument.
are accounted for sufficient.
and addressed with Potential
evidence. counterargument
s are accounted
for, but may not
be sufficiently
addressed with
evidence.
Organizatio Clear organization Clear Organization is Little
n and with a natural flow. organization, with unclear or discernable
Writing Includes an introduction, without organization.
introduction, transitions and necessary Significant
transition conclusion, but component grammar and
sentences to writing is not parts. spelling
connect major always fluid. Significant errors. Ideas
ideas, and There are several grammar or and evidence
conclusion. There grammar or spelling errors are not
are few or no spelling errors. (but not both). correctly
grammar or Ideas and Ideas and cited, or not
spelling errors. evidence are evidence are cited at all.
Minimal passive correctly cited. correctly cited
voice. Ideas and
evidence are
correctly cited.