| Thesis | No or weak thesis statement | Thesis statement with a weak road map | Strong thesis with a clear road map |
| Organization | Content is poorly organized into paragraphs | Some paragraphs are organized | All paragraphs are well organized |
| Sentence structure | Simple and fragmented; short sentences of the same length | Mostly short (less fragmented) with some complex sentences and some length variation | Variety of sentence structures |
| Language / vocabulary | Simple vocabulary; few or no transition words | Mix of simple and complex vocabulary; transitions used but could be better placed and more varied | Complex vocabulary; appropriate, well-placed transition words |
| Grammar & mechanics | Many spelling and grammar errors, run-ons, and fragments — interferes with understanding | Some spelling and grammar errors and a few run-ons or fragments — less interference with understanding | Very few spelling or grammar issues, no run-ons or fragments — no interference with understanding |
| Development of idea / support | Did not clearly answer the question; no examples or unclear reasons; little or no connection between thesis and reason/example | Answered the question with references to current events, news, or literature; some connection between thesis and examples but not spelled out in each body paragraph | Answered the question with current events, news, or literature examples; clear connection between thesis and reason/example in each body paragraph |