We Are All The Same Essay Response
Student Name:
________________________________________
2
The introduction states
the main topic, but does
not adequately preview
the structure of the
paper and/or is it
particularly inviting to
the reader. Weak bridge
to thesis and/or an
underdeveloped thesis.
Some topic sentences do
not frame the paragraphs
well.
1
The introduction
doesn’t adequately
state the main
topic, preview the
structure or grab
reader’s attention.
Weak bridge to
underdeveloped
thesis.
Topic sentences are
weak and/or are
missing from some
paragraphs.
0
There is no clear
introduction of the
main topic or
structure of the
paper. No bridge.
No thesis.
Supporting evidence and
information mostly
support the thesis and
are relevant. Some
paragraphs need more
details to develop the
thesis.
Commentary is missing
for some text evidence
and/or is
underdeveloped. Some
commentary may be
irrelevant.
Supporting
evidence and
information are
weak or irrelevant
and scattered
throughout the
piece.
Commentary is
missing in sections,
underdeveloped,
and/or irrelevant.
No relevant
supporting
evidence is given.
All details are placed in a
logical order which helps
the reader understand the
main idea of the essay.
Some details are not in a
logical or expected order,
and this distracts the
reader.
Many details are
not in a logical or
expected order.
There is little sense
that the writing is
organized.
There is no
evidence of
organization of
ideas.
Impressive transitions are
used to connect
 the topic sentences to
the thesis,
 concrete details to topic
sentences/thesis, and
 commentary to
concrete details/topic
sentences/thesis.
Effective transitions are
used to connect
 the topic sentences to
the thesis,
 concrete details to topic
sentences/thesis, and
 commentary to
concrete details/topic
sentences/thesis.
Few transitions are
used to connect
ideas or most
transitions are
ineffective.
No transitions are
used to connect
ideas.
The conclusion is
impressive:
 restates the thesis,
 summarizes the body of
essay and
 leaves the reader with a
synthesized statement.
The conclusion is strong :
 restates the thesis,
 summarizes the body of
essay and
 ties all three stories to
prove the thesis.
Transitions are used, but
many do not effectively
make connections
between
 topic sentences and
the thesis, and/or
 concrete details and
topic sentences/thesis,
and/or
 commentary and
concrete details/topic
sentences/thesis.
The conclusion is missing
some elements of essay
but still ties almost all the
stories to the thesis.
The conclusion is
underdeveloped &
missing 2 or more
key components. It
does not tie most of
the stories to the
thesis.
There is no clear
conclusion, the
paper just ends.
CATEGORY
Introduction
4
The introduction creatively
invites and grabs the
reader’s attention, states
the main topic and previews
the structure of the paper.
Lead bridges to strong,
sophisticated thesis.
3
The introduction clearly
states the main topic and
previews the structure of
the paper, grabbing the
reader’s attention as well.
Lead bridges to a clearly
stated thesis.
Body Paragraphs
(Topic Sentences)
A strong topic sentence
frames each body
paragraph. The structure of
each sentence is formal and
grammatically correct.
Relevant, impressive
evidence gives the reader
important information that
goes beyond the obvious or
predictable.
A topic sentence
effectively frames each
paragraph. The sentence
is grammatically correct.
Body Paragraphs
(Commentary)
Commentary explains how
text evidence supports the
topic sentence showing
effective analysis and
moving to synthesis.
Commentary explains how
text evidence supports the
topic sentence showing
effective analysis.
Body Paragraphs
(Sequencing)
All details are placed in a
logical order (topic
sentence, text evidence,
commentary) and the way
they are presented
effectively keeps the
interest of the reader.
Coherency
(Transitions)
Conclusion
Body Paragraphs
(Text Evidence)
Relevant, specific evidence
gives the reader important
information and are
sufficient in quantity to
fully support the thesis.
No topic sentences
are given for the
body paragraphs.
No commentary is
given.
Grammar and
Usage
The essay contains no
errors in grammar or usage.
The essay contains no
errors in grammar or
usage that distract the
reader from the content.
The essay contains 1-2
errors in grammar and/or
usage that distract the
reader from the content.
Mechanics
The essay contains no
errors in capitalization,
punctuation, or spelling.
The essay contains no
errors in capitalization,
punctuation, or spelling
that distract the reader
from the content.
The essay 1-2 errors in
capitalization,
punctuation, or spelling
that distract the reader
from the content.
Sentence
Structure
Sentences are skillfully
constructed.
All sentences are wellconstructed.
The essay contains
3-4 errors in
grammar and/or
usage that distract
the reader from the
content.
The essay 3-4 errors
in capitalization,
punctuation, or
spelling that
distract the reader
from the content.
The essay contains
3-4 fragments
and/or run-on
sentences that
distract the reader
from the content.
Most sentences are wellconstructed, but the
essay contains 1-2
fragments and/or run-on
sentences that distract
the reader from the
content.
Sentence Variety
Every paragraph uses an
Every paragraph has
Some paragraphs have
Sentences rarely
impressive variety of
sentences that vary in
sentences that vary in
vary in length, type,
sentences.
length, type, & structure.
length, type, & structure.
or structure.
Composition is worth ___ points in Pinnacle. Grading Scale: 4=A; 3.75=A-; 3.5 = B+; 3=B; 2.75=B-; 2.5=C+; 2=C; 1.75 C-;
1.5=D+; 1=D; 0=F
Name _________________________________
Content
1. Introduction
_____
2. Topic Sentences
_____
3. Concrete Details
_____
4. Commentary
_____
5. Sequencing
_____
6. Transitions
_____
7. Conclusion
_____
Score
_____
Score
_____
Conventions
8. Grammar & Usage
_____
9. Mechanics
_____
10. Sentence Structure
_____
11. Sentence Variety
_____
Score _____
Multiple errors in
grammar and/or
usage distract the
reader from the
content.
Multiple errors in
capitalization,
punctuation, or
spelling distract the
reader from the
content.
Multiple errors in
sentence
construction
distract the reader
from the content.
No sentence
variety.