SCORING RUBRIC FOR JUNIOR HONORS:

A, A-

SUPERIOR ESSAYS

• Clear statement of position, thoughtful support, convincing examples, and stylistic maturity
• Thesis is interesting and arguable, analytical or critical, not merely descriptive
• Recognizes and responds to the emotional nuances of the topic
• Consideration of the various layers of meaning within the examples used to support thesis
• Style is clear and language use is superior and creative

B,B+,B-

EXCELLENT ESSAYS

• The thesis lacks the specific and convincing proof of the superior essays
• Style and tone less effective than superior essays
• Evidence tends to be less comprehensive, lacks the consideration of more than one level of meaning
• Style is clear but language use is less powerful or creative

C,C+,C-

ADEQUATE ESSAYS

• The thesis may not be quite clear or may be too generalized
• Insufficient evidence, cites examples but without explanation
• No attention to the author’s language, no explanation of impact

D,D-,D+

WEAK ESSAYS

• Lack clear organization, little evidence of support and writing is simplistic
• No thesis
• Frequent grammar and spelling errors

F

POOR ESSAYS

• Consistent grammar and spelling errors
• Badly written, unacceptably brief, or not on topic