English 3, Unit 1

Embedded Assessment 1 Scoring Guide: Writing a Definition Essay

Student Name:________________________________________________________ Period:

Date: _________________
Scoring
Criteria
IDEAS

_______

Exemplary
5 pts.
asserts a focused,
clearly stated thesis

Proficient
4 pts.
asserts a clear thesis

Emerging
3 pts.
presents an unfocused or
limited thesis

Incomplete
2-1 pts.
asserts a weak thesis

develops and supports

the thesis thoroughly
with relevant,
significant, and
substantial facts and
quotations

develops and supports

the thesis with relevant
facts and quotations

attempts to develop and

support the thesis with
weak evidence that may
not be appropriate

contains facts,
quotations, or other
information that may
not develop or support
the topic

Category
Total
x2=
_________

synthesizes information
on multiple, relevant
perspectives

incorporates information
on various perspectives

inconsistently
incorporates information
on various perspectives

contains insufficient
information on various
perspectives

W.1
112.2
b; 9a

STRUCTU
RE

organizes complex
ideas so that new
elements build to create
a unified whole

organizes ideas so that

each new element builds
on that which preceded
it to create cohesion

creates limited cohesion

with inconsistent
connections among the
elements

demonstrates limited
cohesion; expected
elements may be
missing

W.1
112.2
a,c;
4

creates an effective and

engaging introduction
and conclusion that
articulate the
implications or
significance of the
topic

presents a clear and

focused introduction and
conclusion

contains an
underdeveloped or
unfocused introduction
and/or conclusion

lacks an introduction
and/or conclusion

W.1
112.2
a,f;
4

uses a variety of
definition strategies
with skill and purpose

uses a variety of
definition strategies
effectively

attempts to use definition

strategies, with limited
success

uses few or no
definition strategies

uses a variety of
meaningful transitions

uses transitions to
connect the larger ideas
of the essay

inconsistently uses
transitions to connect
ideas

presents limited use of

transitions

uses precise diction and

a variety of sentence
types and structures
deliberately chosen to
enhance the readers
understanding of a
complex topic

uses diction and a

variety of sentence types
or structures that
appropriately manages
the topic

uses diction that is

inconsistent and provides
little variety in sentence
structure

uses diction that is

inappropriate at times;
shows little or no
variety in sentence
structure

W.1
112.a,
b,d;
4
W.1
112.2
c
W.1
112.2
d;
L.11
12.3
a

demonstrates superior
command of
conventions of standard
English

demonstrates a
command of
conventions so that
minor errors do not
interfere with meaning

attempts to follow
conventions, but errors in
usage may cause some
confusion

contains errors in
grammar, punctuation,
capitalization, or
spelling that interfere
with meaning

Category
Total
x2=
_________
USE OF
LANGUAG
E

CC
S
W.1
112.2
a
W.1
112.2
b

L.11
12.2
b

TOTAL POINTS EARNED: ______________/80