A
B
C
D
F
Overall Structure: Provides the
“skeleton” under which the parts
come together to make a cogent
whole.
The skeleton is anchored by a
clear thesis; each paragraph
contains language that links
back to this thesis. The
nature of these links is
conveyed through signposting
that guides the reader and
signals the function of the
paragraph.
The skeleton is anchored
by a clear thesis; almost
every paragraph contains
language that links back to
this thesis. The nature of
these links is usually
conveyed through
signposting that guides
the reader signals the
function of the paragraph.
The skeleton is anchored
by a thesis; few
paragraphs contain
language that links back
to this thesis. The nature
of these links is rarely
conveyed through
signposting that guides
the reader and signals the
function of the paragraph.
Because of an incomplete
thesis, the skeleton is not
well-anchored. Each
paragraph does not
contain language that
links back to this thesis.
Little signposting that
guides the reader or
signals the function of the
paragraph.
The skeleton is not
anchored by a thesis.
Paragraphs do not contain
language that links back to
this thesis. No signposting
signals the function of the
paragraph.
Paragraphs: Like an organ in the
human body, each paragraph serves
a specific function – to support,
refute, expand, or synthesize ideas.
Make sure you are aware of what
each of your paragraphs is
supposed to do.
Each paragraph has a guiding
topic sentence (that connects
back to the thesis). The
internal logic of the paragraph
is consistent with the topic
sentence and the paragraph’s
function in the overall
structure.
Each paragraph has a topic
sentence (that connects
back to the thesis). The
internal logic of the
paragraph is somewhat
consistent with the topic
sentence and the
paragraph’s function in
the overall structure.
Each paragraph has a
topic sentence, but how
that connects back to the
thesis is left to the reader
to infer. The internal logic
of the paragraph is
somewhat hard to follow.
Many paragraphs lack a
guiding topic sentence.
How the paragraph
connects back to the
thesis is left to the reader
to infer, and that process
of inference is arduous
because the internal logic
of the paragraph is
disconnected.
Nearly every paragraph
lacks a guiding topic
sentence. The internal logic
of the paragraphs is
impossible for the reader to
discern.
Sentences: These are the
connective tissues that tie your
organs into a living system.
Each sentence is the right
shape/length and is placed in
the correct sequence to tie
the ideas together.
Most sentences are the
right shape/length and are
placed in the correct
sequence to tie the ideas
together.
Few sentences are the
right shape and/or are
placed in the correct
sequence to tie the ideas
together.
Sentences are too long or
too short; missing
sentences obscure the
connections between
ideas.
Sentences are too long or
too short; unintelligible or
missing sentences fail to
connect ideas. .
Words: Just as cells use up energy
to stay alive, each word you write
costs your reader some attentional
effort. Make sure each word earns
its keep.
Words are used
unambiguously and sparingly.
Words are mostly used
unambiguously and
sparingly.
Words choice is
sometimes too general,
inexact, or non-standard
to effectively convey the
author’s ideas.
Words choice is too
general, inexact, or nonstandard to effectively
convey the author’s ideas.
Words choice is so
confusing that the author’s
ideas are incomprehensible.