Essay+writing

SCORE OF 6 [an “A”]
An essay in this category demonstrates **clear and consistent mastery**, although it may have a few minor errors. A typical essay
 * effectively and insightfully develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates outstanding critical thinking, using clearly appropriate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position
 * is well organized and clearly focused, demonstrating clear coherence and smooth progression of ideas
 * exhibits skillful use of language, using a varied, accurate, and apt vocabulary
 * demonstrates meaningful variety in sentence structure
 * is free of most errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics

SCORE OF 5 [a “B]
An essay in this category demonstrates **reasonably consistent mastery**, although it will have occasional errors or lapses in quality. A typical essay
 * effectively develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates strong critical thinking, generally using appropriate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position
 * is well organized and focused, demonstrating coherence and progression of ideas
 * exhibits facility in the use of language, using appropriate vocabulary
 * demonstrates variety in sentence structure
 * is generally free of most errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics

SCORE OF 4 [a “C]
An essay in this category demonstrates **adequate mastery**, although it will have lapses in quality. A typical essay
 * develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates competent critical thinking, using adequate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position
 * is generally organized and focused, demonstrating some coherence and progression of ideas
 * exhibits adequate but inconsistent facility in the use of language, using generally appropriate vocabulary
 * demonstrates some variety in sentence structure
 * has some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics

SCORE OF 3 [a C-/D+]
An essay in this category demonstrates **developing mastery**, and is marked by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses:
 * develops a point of view on the issue, demonstrating some critical thinking, but may do so inconsistently or use inadequate examples, reasons, or other evidence to support its position
 * is limited in its organization or focus, or may demonstrate some lapses in coherence or progression of ideas
 * displays developing facility in the use of language, but sometimes uses weak vocabulary or inappropriate word choice
 * lacks variety or demonstrates problems in sentence structure
 * contains an accumulation of errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics

SCORE OF 2 [ a “D” or “D-]
An essay in this category demonstrates **little mastery**, and is flawed by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses:
 * develops a point of view on the issue that is vague or seriously limited, and demonstrates weak critical thinking, providing inappropriate or insufficient examples, reasons, or other evidence to support its position
 * is poorly organized and/or focused, or demonstrates serious problems with coherence or progression of ideas
 * displays very little facility in the use of language, using very limited vocabulary or incorrect word choice
 * demonstrates frequent problems in sentence structure
 * contains errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics so serious that meaning is somewhat obscured

SCORE OF 1 [an “F]
An essay in this category demonstrates **very little** or **no mastery**, and is severely flawed by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses:
 * develops no viable point of view on the issue, or provides little or no evidence to support its position
 * is disorganized or unfocused, resulting in a disjointed or incoherent essay
 * displays fundamental errors in vocabulary
 * demonstrates severe flaws in sentence structure
 * contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that persistently interfere with meaning

Essays not written on the essay assignment will receive a score of **zero**.