Focus: Thesis is stated in specific, clear terms and maintained throughout essay. • Paragraphs are unified by a main idea and cohere as distinct units. • Topic sentences are used to maintain focus. Author limits the content to a manageable scope.Focus: Thesis is stated in specific, clear terms and maintained throughout essay. • Paragraphs are unified by a main idea and cohere as distinct units. • Topic sentences are used to maintain focus. Author limits the content to a manageable scope.

Development/Support: • Points are developed and “tied-in” with the essay’s thesis. • Points are supported with specific examples. • Ideas are “fleshed out” fully. • Necessary context is provided for reader comprehension. Source materials are integrated effectively and meaningfully into the author’s argument.

Organization/Structure: • A clear principle of organization is employed and maintained throughout essay. • Essay is structured in manner that maximizes the overall purpose and effect. Effective transitions connect separate ideas and events.

Style/Conventions: • Essay is free of sentence fragments, comma splices, and run-on sentences. • Verb tense is consistent throughout. • Pronouns refer to clear antecedents and are used correctly in terms of person, case, and number. • Most sentences are constructed in active voice. • Sentences are clear and concise, avoiding unnecessary wordiness. • Essay adheres to standard written English. • Essay meets prescribed requirements, including word count and outside source requirements. MLA format is employed correctly for