Criteria

Thesis / Argument /
Purpose:
Originality and Clarity


Support/Ideas/Details

No/Limited
Proficiency
Thesis is missing /Reader
cannot determine
thesis & purpose /
thesis has no relation to
the writing task.
Offers simplistic,
undeveloped, or cryptic
support for the ideas.
Inappropriate or off-topic
generalizations, faulty
assumptions, errors of fact.

Organization

Unclear organization /
organizational plan is
inappropriate to thesis.
No transitions.

Style (Tone, Language,

Sentence
Structure)

Inappropriate tone for

writing task. Lack of
sentence variety. Stagnant
or inappropriate language.

Mechanics (MLA,
Grammar,
Use of Source Materials)

Neglects important
sources. Overuse of
quotations or paraphrase
to substitute writers own
ideas. Improper MLA, no
MLA,
excessive grammatical
mistakes.

Peer Review:


Essay Grade:

Some Proficiency

Proficiency

High Proficiency

Thesis may be obvious or

Unimaginative / Thesis and
purpose are somewhat
vague OR only loosely
related to the writing task.
Offers somewhat obvious
support that may be too
broad. Details are too
general, not interpreted,
irrelevant to thesis, or
inappropriately
repetitive.
Some signs of logical
organization. May have
abrupt or illogical shifts &
ineffective flow of ideas

Thesis is somewhat
original / Thesis and
purpose are fairly
clear and match the
writing task .
Offers solid but less
original reasoning.
Assumptions are not
always recognized or
made explicit. Contains
some appropriate details
or examples.
Organization supports
thesis and purpose.
Transitions are mostly
appropriate. Sequence of
ideas could be improved
Relatively constant tone
that is appropriate to the
task. Consistent use of
language and syntax,
although it could
be more elegant and
sophisticated.
Uses sources to support,
extend, and inform, but
not substitute writers
own development of idea.
Doesnt overuse quotes.
May not always
conform to required MLA.
Few grammatical mistakes.

Develops fresh insight that

challenges the readers
thinking; Thesis and purpose are
clear to the reader; closely
match the writing task.
Substantial, logical, &
concrete development of
ideas. Assumptions are
made explicit. Details are
germane, original, and
convincingly interpreted.

Somewhat inappropriate or
inconsistent tone. Attempt
to
use language effectively is
irregular. Lack of complete
control of
sentence structure.
Uses relevant sources but
quotations & paraphrases
may
be too long and/or
inconsistently referenced.
Several MLA mistakes.
Multiple grammatical
mistakes.

Fully & imaginatively

supports thesis & purpose.
Sequence of ideas is efficient.
Transitions are effective.
Tone perfectly matched to
writing task. Fresh and elegant
prose. Sentence variety used to
engage reader and aid writing
purpose. Impressive control of
language, syntax, diction.
Uses sources to support,
extend, and inform, but
not substitute writers own
development of idea. Does
not overuse quotes. Error
free prose. No mechanical
errors. Proper MLA.