CATEGORY

Excellent (20 Points)

Proficient (15-19 Points)

Developing (10-14 pts)

Needs Improvement (0-9 pts)

Thesis & Argument

Clear, well-developed thesis; strong, logical argument

Thesis is clear but could be stronger; argument mostly logical

Thesis is present but weak; argument lacks depth

No clear thesis; weak or illogical argument

Research & Evidence (20 pts)

Uses 5+ credible sources; strong integration of research

Uses 4-5 credible sources; adequate research integration

Uses 3-4 sources, but some may not be credible; minimal research integration

Fewer than 3 sources; little to no credible research

Organization & Structure (20 pts)

Logical structure; smooth transitions; strong intro and conclusion

Mostly logical structure; transitions could be smoother

Some structural issues; weak intro or conclusion

Lacks organization; no clear introduction or conclusion

Critical Thinking & Analysis (20 pts)

Strong, insightful analysis; acknowledges counterarguments

Good analysis; considers counterarguments

Some analysis but mostly summary; minimal counterarguments

Little to no analysis; no counterarguments addressed

Grammar, Style, & Mechanics (10 pts)

Few to no grammar/spelling errors; strong academic tone

Some minor errors; mostly academic tone

Noticeable errors; inconsistent tone

Frequent errors; informal or unclear writing

Formatting & Citations (10 pts)

Correct use of APA/MLA; properly formatted citations

Mostly correct formatting; minor citation errors

Some formatting issues; inconsistent citations

Incorrect or missing citations; poor formatting