Name:________________________________________ Date:__________________

Our America Essay Grade Sheet

Quality of the Argument

_____ / 25 = This paper is clear and purposeful. Relevant anecdotes, examples, and details
support the central thesis and establish a convincing argument.
- The argument regarding the cause(s) or solution(s) to the community problem is convincing.
- Main ideas, reasons, evidence, and proof are carefully selected and effectively used.
- Ideas, details, and examples are thought provoking, original and insightful.
- Reader is not left with important, unanswered questions; writer anticipates questions which may
occur to the reader
- Reasons are supported by specific, clear, and varied proof.
-- There is a strong sense of logos and pathos.
- The writer effectively addresses a counter argument.

Organization

____ / 25 = The organizational structure enhances and showcases the thesis. The order,
structure, focus, and presentation of information is strong, compelling, and
moves the reader effortlessly through the text.
- The argument has been narrowed appropriately and is manageable.
- The text demonstrates a balance among the ideas.
- The thesis is strong and clear and provides a focal point for the rest of the paper.
- There is an inviting introduction which engages the reader into anticipating the rest of the paper.
- There is a satisfying, powerful closing which provides a sense of closure or resolution.
- The writer includes a title which captures attention and/or piques curiosity.
- Main points are clearly expressed as topic sentences of body paragraphs.
- Main points / Reasons support the central thesis.
- Transitional words and phrases are used to demonstrate the relationship between ideas and
details.
- The sequence / organization of ideas and details is logical and effective.
- Each body paragraph is focused on one main idea.

Sentence Style / Word Choice

____ / 15 = The writer's choice of words is specific, vivid, natural, accurate, creative, and
appropriate. The writer's voice is passionate, committed, engaging, creative,
and/or compelling. The writer's sentences are well built, with a strong and
varied structure that invites expressive oral reading.
Potential Problems with sentence style / word choice
‫ ڤ‬The writer sounds too much like the sources; the material has not been assimilated into the
writer’s voice.
‫ ڤ‬The writer lapses occasionally into generic word choice.
‫ ڤ‬The writer’s style is too conversational and not academic
‫ ڤ‬The writer has not engaged in sufficient revision to produce sophisticated sentence structures
appropriate to academic discourse.
‫ ڤ‬There are problems with …
○ parallel structure
○ passive voice
○ misplaced / dangling modifiers

Proofreading
_____ / 15 = The writer demonstrates a good grasp of standard writing conventions -
spelling, punctuation, capitalization, usage, paragraphing, etc. and uses conventions
effectively to enhance readability. Errors tend to be so few that just minor touch-ups
would ready the composition for publishing.
- Spelling is generally correct, even on more difficult words: Homonyms are in the correct form;
plurals and possessives are used correctly.
- Capitalization is consistent and uppercases all first words, initials, proper names and adjectives,
and follows formal title rules.
- Grammar and usage are appropriate.
- Fragments and/or run-ons are avoided
Pronouns have clear antecedents.
Verb tense is consistent.
Punctuation is accurate and guides the reader through the text. The writer knows how to use
Commas
Colons / semi-colons

Research Writing Skills

_____ / 25 points
- The writer uses multiple (at least SIX) sources to support his/her points.
- The text demonstrates synthesis as the writer combines his/her own ideas with those of
documented sources. In other words, the writer takes time to explain how the research
supports his/her argument, and each point / paragraph incorporates information from more
than one source.
- A majority of the ideas taken from sources are paraphrased into the writer’s own
words. Paraphrased ideas include appropriate documentation.
- Quoted material is attributed, documented, and blended with the writer’s own words, not
left to “stand alone.”
- Documented sources are clearly linked to Works Cited page.
- The Works Cited page is arranged according to MLA guidelines.
- Parenthetical documentation throughout the text adheres to MLA guidelines.

Materials Checklist
____ Brainstorming (5 points)
____ Outline (5 points)
____ Peer / Self Review (10 points)
____ Rough draft with post-it notes (10 points)
____ Final Draft

____ / 30 points

TOTAL

____ / 135 points