Researched Expository Essays These are the things Im looking for when I grade.
POINTS 10-9 8 7-6 5 and below
Argument Thesis/Purpo se This essay has a purpose and thesis BEYOND the obvious. The thesis is is arguable. The thesis may be EXPLICIT or IMPLICIT. There is a sophisticated, specific, arguable, and complex purpose for this essay. It answers the so what. The thesis is proven and the purpose is achieved with great impact.
Ex: Men and women have different talking styles and this causes their relationships to suffer due to the breakdown in communication.
There is some sort of arguable purpose/thesis here, but it is less impactful and complex. The thesis is EXPLICIT or IMPLICIT in the paper, but the thesis may not be completely proven by the evidence presented in the paper. The purpose may be less clear or not fully achieved. There is a purpose/thesis for this paper, but it is simple. There is no real discernable purpose/thesis beyond just explaining, comparing/contrasting, dividing, etc. It doesnt answer the so what
The thesis might be something like:
Men and women have different communication styles The thesis is not effective or is nonexistentthe reader does not know what the writer is proving. The authors purpose is unclear or not achieved.
Style and Structure Mode/audien ce/strategies The mode of this essay is clear. The author has chosen to write in a mode that BEST supports his/her purpose and thesis.
The author has chosen an audience and strategies that Trimmer suggests for that mode. The intended audience and strategies are blatantly clear.
There are glimmers of an apparent mode here. The chosen mode adequately helps the author to support the thesis.
The author has chosen an audience and strategies that Trimmer suggests for that mode. It is less clear that the author has purposefully appealed to his/her intended audience and while he/shes attempted to use strategies, he or she doesnt execute them as well as the top essay.
The mode here is less apparent, but still discernable. It is unclear why the author has chosen this particular mode to support his/her thesis.
The author has chosen an audience and strategies, but perhaps doesnt effectively communicate to them or for them. There is no discernable mode, or the author has not made his/her essay reflective of the chosen mode as stated.
There is little evidence that the author has written with a particular audience in mind.
Rhetorical Appeals pathos/ethos/ logos The essay contains an abundance of specific, high quality, interesting evidence: facts, statistics, data, quotations, and examples. The best primary sources are used. The author is highly effective in manipulating the readers emotions in order to win the readers agreement. The author establishes him/herself as an authority through relevant personal experience and/or judgments, or through evidence of research from reliable sources.
Each supporting paragraph has adequate elaboration. Primary sources are used. The author establishes him/herself as a somewhat of an authority through personal experience or through using testimonials of eyewitnesses or experts. Information is mostly from reliable sources. The author is effective in manipulating the readers emotions in order to win the readers agreement. Body paragraphs are somewhat convincing but need elaboration and specific details. Primary sources may/may not be used. The author does not establish him/herself as an authority through personal experience or through using testimonials of eyewitnesses or experts. Information is from questionable sources. The author is somewhat effective in manipulating the readers emotions in order to win the readers agreement. Body paragraphs lack attention to detail, may be irrelevant, and/or do not provide enough information. No primary sources are used. The author is ineffective in manipulating the readers emotions and does not win the readers agreement. The author has no appeal to ethos. Rhetorical Devices The author has used FIVE rhetorical devices correctly (and labeled them) and they actually support his/her thesis and purpose and help PERSUADE! They are not merely thrown in to meet the paper requirements. They are used skillfully.
The author has used 3-4 rhetorical devices correctly (and labeled them) and they actually support his/her thesis and purpose. They are not merely thrown in to meet the paper requirements. They are used well. The authors use of rhetorical devices is random. They are used incorrectly in some cases. They may feel as if they were haphazardly thrown in to meet paper requirements. They dont help support the thesis. The authors use of rhetorical devices is sparse or missing. When they are used it is incorrectly. They may feel as if they were haphazardly thrown in to meet paper requirements. They dont help support the thesis. Researched Expository Essays These are the things Im looking for when I grade. POINTS 10-9 8 7-6 5 and below Research Requirem ents. Citations
All information from an outside source is noted with a CORRECT in-text citation. Quotes are properly introduced, relate to the topic, and are explained. Essay uses three to five DIFFERENT sources.
There are FIVE citations in this essay. Most information from sources is CORRECTLY cited. AND/OR Quotes/paraphrases begin to overpower the authors argument.
There are TOO MANY or TOO FEW citations. Some information from sources is CORRECTLY cited . AND/OR The essay is more of a report than a persuasive essay because it just regurgitates research.
There are TOO MANY or TOO FEW citations. Few to no citations. AND/OR The essay is more of a report than a persuasive essay because it just regurgitates research.
The format of citation is incorrect
Style/Mec hanics
Transitions/ Diction/ MLA Essay Format/ Mechanics The author consistently includes a variety of transition words to create coherence. There must be logical connections between ideas. The author consistently uses higher level words. The essay follows MLA page format (font, margins, page numbers, title, and header) and is no longer than page limit. Three or fewer spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors. The author frequently includes transition words to provide connections between ideas and chronological order. Diction choices are at times bland or incorrect. Most elements of MLA format are followed. Four to seven spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors. Two or fewer errors in citation format.
The author sometimes includes transition words to provide connections between ideas and chronological order. Diction is often simple and not appropriately chosen. Some elements of MLA format are followed. Eight to eleven spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors. Three to four errors in citation format The author rarely/never includes transition words to provide connections between ideas and chronological order. Diction choices are confusing to the reader because youve chosen wrong words. More than eleven spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors. All five citations are incorrect.
Interest Factor Riverside Reader STYLE This essay has style and voice and gives more airtime to an important topic. There is something NEW to read here. The reader says WOW thats really interesting or WOW thats beautifully written. This is Riverside Reader worthy!
5 points The writer has tried to inject some stylistic flair here. The information is mostly new and interesting. Effort to make this RR worthy is apparent. You are on your way!
4 points The writer has not made a concerted effort to impart new ideas nor is there much stylistic flair or voice in the essay. It feels more like a report. Keep striving to get there!
3 points.and below
Works Cited Appropriate header and title, alphabetical order, hanging indent. 3-5 sources that are ACTUALLY used in the paper. double spaced, Entries follow correct format. Two or fewer errors in format; does not follow source requirements. Three to five errors in format; does not follow source requirements. Six or more errors in format; does not follow source requirements.