III. Body Paragraphs: All body paragraphs must include topic and conclusion sentences. A body paragraph should be around eleven (11) sentences in length and no shorter eight (8) sentences. Number each sentence so it is easy to quickly see how many sentences are in the body paragraph.
All body paragraphs must include topic and conclusion sentences. A body paragraph should be around eleven (11) sentences in length and no shorter eight (8) sentences. Number each sentence so it is easy to quickly see how many sentences are in the body paragraph.
All body paragraphs must include topic and conclusion sentences. A body paragraph should be around eleven (11) sentences in length and no shorter eight (8) sentences. Number each sentence so it is easy to quickly see how many sentences are in the body paragraph.
Push the reader to a new understanding: point to broader ideas, concepts, or implications, offer a final impact or weight of your essay, answer “So what?” or “Why does this matter?” about your topic, show the importance of your ideas, share complex ideas that connect your essay to the real world, offer a “universal message” that relates your essay to the many/most people.
Impressive writing: Please write on the essay and mark places where the writer wrote well using good word choice (diction) and well-constructed sentences (syntax).
Opportunities for improvement: Also, please give the writer specific feedback on the essay where you see word choice (informal writing), sentences, grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. that could be improved.
Checklist: Please go through the checklist below and check off each item the essay does correctly.
Ideas, Content, & Organization: An excellent score indicates that the essay is focused, logical, and convincing. The central thesis is always clear and supported by examples, details, and proof. The essay organization enhances and showcases the central idea or thesis. The order, structure, or presentation of information is compelling and moves the reader smoothly and clearly through the text. Organization is effective at both the essay level and at the paragraph level.
HOOK “grabs” the reader’s attention, fits with essay prompt, and clearly introduces the topic. Uses information, a quote, or a story (anecdote); NOT a question. ___
BRIDGE transitions reader smoothly from the hook into the thesis and provides enough detail to help the topic/purpose make sense to the reader. ___
THESIS statement clearly and completely answers the prompt. ___
Thesis statement contains or is followed by an ESSAY MAP that previews main ideas/organization (body paragraphs).___
At least 3 CONCRETE DETAILS provide information or examples that support the topic sentence. ___
At least 3 COMMENTARY SENTENCES explain why the concrete detail is important, elaborate (give more information about it), or show how it supports the topic sentence. ___
CONCLUSION SENTENCE does not repeat the topic sentence or repeat/summarize the main ideas of the body paragraph. Conclusion sentence does explain why the evidence and analysis presented in the paragraph is important and “pushes” or deepens the reader’s understanding. ___
At least 3 CONCRETE DETAILS provide information or examples that support the topic sentence. ___
At least 3 COMMENTARY SENTENCES explain why the concrete detail is important, elaborate (give more information about it), or show how it supports the topic sentence. ___
CONCLUSION SENTENCE does not repeat the topic sentence or repeat/summarize the main ideas of the body paragraph. Conclusion sentence explains why the evidence and analysis presented in the paragraph is important and “pushes” or deepens the reader’s understanding. ___
At least 3 CONCRETE DETAILS provide information or examples that support the topic sentence. ___
At least 3 COMMENTARY SENTENCES explain why the concrete detail is important, elaborate (give more information about it), or show how it supports the topic sentence. ___
CONCLUSION SENTENCE does not repeat the topic sentence or repeat/summarize the main ideas of the body paragraph. Conclusion sentence explains why the evidence and analysis presented in the paragraph is important and “pushes” or deepens the reader’s understanding. ___
Conclusion Paragraph
TRANSITION sentence moves from the body paragraph before to this paragraph. ___
RE-HOOK – refers to the introduction paragraph “attention getters” or bridge. ___
RELATIONSHIPS – shows how the points made in the body paragraphs relate to each other. Shows how the evidence/support used in essay work together to support thesis statement. ___
PUSH the reader to a new understanding about the topic – includes a “universal message”, shows the reader how information is important to him/her AND can be important to many people. ___
Conventions:
An excellent score indicates that the writer demonstrates a good grasp of standard writing conventions (spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, usage, etc.) and uses conventions effectively to enhance readability. Errors tend to be so few that only minor touch-ups would have this piece ready to publish. ___
MLA Formatting:
The essay is typed using 12 point Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman fonts, default margins, white paper, and black ink. ___
The heading is correct: student name, teacher, class, and date. ___
Title is not bolded, underlined, caps locked, or word art. ___
There is a page number with the student’s last name on every page. ___
The essay is double-spaced (or neatly hand-written). ___
The writer’s voice comes through clearly and with no hint of plagiarism. The writer’s words convey the intended message in a precise, interesting, and natural way. Vocabulary is appropriate to purpose and audience.
Voice and tone are appropriate to purpose (FORMAL – does not use “I, me, my, you, your, us, we, our, etc.”) ____