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Critical Thinking

displays no real development of ideas

lacks convincing support

exhibits no attempt to make connections between ideas

includes no real analysis, or synthesis, or interpretation, or …

demonstrates no real integration of ideas (the author’s or those of others) to make meaning

develops ideas superficially or inconsistently

provides weak support

begins to make connections between ideas

begins to analyze, or synthesize, or interpret, or …

begins to integrate ideas (the author’s or those of others) to make meaning

develops ideas with some consistency and depth

develops adequate support

makes some good connections between ideas

shows some analysis, or synthesis, or interpretation, or …

displays some skill at integrating ideas (the author’s or those of others) to make meaning

displays insight and thorough development of ideas

develops consistently strong support

reveals mature and thoughtful connections between ideas

shows sophistication in analysis, or synthesis, or interpretation, or  …

is adept at integrating ideas (the authors or those of others) to make meaning

Organization

lacks introduction

lacks controlling idea

lacks clarity

lacks logical structure

lacks conclusion

includes weak introduction

displays  controlling idea

exhibits weak clarity

exhibits weak logical structure

includes weak conclusion

includes adequate introduction

displays adequately developed  controlling idea

exhibits adequate clarity

exhibits adequate logical structure

includes adequate conclusion

includes strong introduction

displays clear, well-developed controlling idea

exhibits excellent clarity

exhibits strong logical structure

includes well-supported conclusion

Style

tone or voice is off-putting

seems to have no audience in mind

frequently chooses inappropriate words

exhibits frequent inappropriate sentence structure

uses no appropriate stylistic conventions

contains inconsistent tone or voice

shows little audience awareness

sometimes chooses inappropriate words

exhibits occasional inappropriate sentence structure

uses few appropriate stylistic conventions

contains occasional lapses in tone or voice

shows audience awareness

chooses appropriate words

exhibits appropriate sentence structure

uses appropriate stylistic conventions

maintains a consistent tone and voice

shows consistent audience awareness

exhibits skill in  word choice

exhibits sophisticated sentence structure

skillfully  uses appropriate stylistic conventions

Mechanics

lacks command of mechanical conventions: grammar, punctuation, or spelling

errors present major distraction to readers

demonstrates weak command of mechanical conventions: grammar, punctuation, or spelling

errors are occasionally distracting to readers

demonstrates adequate command of mechanical conventions: grammar, punctuation, or spelling

errors are minimally distracting to readers

demonstrates excellent command of mechanical conventions: grammar, punctuation, and spelling

small errors do not distract readers