Senior English Final Exam Essay
A (90-100%) Excellent Command of Language and Exceptional Understanding of Assignment
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Essay is double-spaced and uses Times New Roman 12 pt font
Writer produced a creative title which clearly connects to the essay
Essay is 1000-1150 words long
Accurately cites at least 4 of 8 classroom sources
Sources are incorporated seamlessly, and variedly into the text of the essay and provide a high level of validation for the overall
message.
Demonstrates exceptionally strong control of language.
 Avoids common grammar errors such as agreement, modifier misplacement, verb usage/tense, commonly misused
words, etc. as well as having a variety of sentence structures and strong transitions.
 Avoids fragments, run-ons, awkward constructions, etc.
 Diction, tone and punctuation illustrate writer’s sophisticated command of language (vivid, accurate diction,
figurative language, no contractions, etc) and consistently contribute to the writer’s point in a highly appropriate
manner which does NOT include the use of 1st or 2nd person.
Overall, the writer demonstrates understanding of the prompt and produces a fully-developed, well-written essay that supports
his/her focus/claim in a clear, sophisticated (sentence structure, diction, mature incorporation of ideas, etc), organized way.
Thesis/claim statements and topic sentences are clearly recognizable and none are quotes.
Elements and organizational patterns of the essay are clear and fully developed. It is not a superficial “listing” of examples of the
“parts” (a mere report).
B (80-89%) Very Good
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Has most of the elements of an A paper, but formatting is incorrect.
Overall this essay has many elements of an A paper (especially the requirements), but not as strong as an “A”. Perhaps it doesn’t
demonstrate an exceptionally strong command of language as an “A” essay. The essay characteristics aren’t as well-developed or
as clear, etc.
May contain some errors in grammar, sentence construction, spelling, citing, etc. but they don’t distract too much from the
coherence of the essay.
C (70-79%) Fair/Average/Adequate
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Has elements of a B paper, but may lack strong sentence fluency, contain weak or few transitions, have poor organization.
Diction and tone are adequate, but not outstanding; may overuse direct quotations or paraphrasing.
Contains some errors which negatively impact the reading of the essay
Does not meet the length requirement; uses only 3 sources; incorrect formatting of quotations (if missing a few or all of these,
then it drops to a D)
Overall this paper has fulfilled basic requirements with an adequate attempt but not as well-developed as a B or A. May have
superficial characteristics of the paradigm but doesn’t develop the problem/solution.
D (60-69%) Poor
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Has few elements of an A paper. Focus unclear and unsupported with research; doesn’t demonstrate strong understanding of the
structure
Author struggles to demonstrate ability to articulate and organize ideas. May contain redundancy (ineffective repetition of ideas,
words, phrases, etc.)
Produced an essay which is loosely organized; uses only 1-2 sources; uses significantly fewer words than required.
Simple or weak sentence structures; little indication of understanding of grammar, spelling, diction, figurative language,
punctuation
F (1-59%) Unsatisfactory (A zero is for those who made NO attempt, turned nothing in, or plagiarized.)
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Has few if any elements of an A paper; does not use any sources
Poorly written; doesn’t follow the guidelines; fails to demonstrate the author’s ability to articulate and organize ideas.
Plagiarized whether intentional or not. Anytime ideas or information aren’t your own, they should be cited (whether summarized,
paraphrased, or quoted).
May contain so many errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation that the author’s ideas are fragmented and unclear