2. Family
3. Health
4. Racism
5. Climate change
6. Religion
7. Terrorism
8. Social Media
9. Democracy
10. Technology
The introduction has a hook or introductory information to the topic discussed AND a clear thesis statement that is relevant and sets forth the essay’s structure.
The introduction is present AND contains a hook or introductory information, AND a thesis is present that provides the essay’s structure.
The introduction is present BUT is missing a hook or introductory information, AND a thesis is present that does not provide the essay’s structure.
The introduction is missing altogether OR, if present, lacks a thesis statement.
Body paragraphs follow the structure set forth in the essay’s thesis, develop the argument throughout, and provide a reasonable reader with evidence to support the argument. Essay meets or exceeds the length requirement.
Body paragraphs follow the structure set forth in the essay’s thesis AND develop the argument throughout BUT do not provide a reasonable reader with evidence to support the argument. Essay meets the length requirement.
Body paragraphs follow the structure set forth in the essay’s thesis BUT do not develop the argument throughout AND do not provide a reasonable reader with evidence to support the argument. Essay meets LESS than the length requirement but MORE than half.
Body paragraphs do not follow the structure set forth in the essay’s thesis and do not develop the argument throughout or provide a reasonable reader with evidence to support the argument. Essay meets LESS than half the essay length requirement.
The conclusion restates the thesis AND concludes the essay WITHOUT additional information. Essay meets or exceeds the length requirement.
The conclusion restates the thesis BUT concludes the essay WITH additional information. Essay meets the length requirement.
The conclusion does not restate the thesis BUT concludes the essay WITHOUT additional information.
The conclusion does not restate the thesis OR conclude the essay without adding additional information. Essay meets LESS than half the essay length requirement.
The essay contains a clear definition that has been curated or developed AND represents a novel take on the definition AND engages readers with a set of criteria for determining what fits this definition.
The essay contains a clear definition that has been curated or developed AND represents a novel take on the definition BUT does not engage readers with a set of criteria for determining what fits this definition.
The essay contains a clear definition that has been curated or developed BUT does not represent a novel take on the definition or engage readers with a set of criteria for determining what fits this definition.
The essay does not contain a clear definition that has been curated or developed, represent a novel take on the definition, OR engage readers with a set of criteria for determining what fits this definition.
The essay is constructed according to typical American English writing conventions AND contains minimal or no errors that impact the essay’s readability.
The essay is constructed according to typical American English writing conventions AND contains some errors that may impact the essay’s readability.
The essay is constructed according to typical American English writing conventions AND contains significant errors (~5 or less per paragraph) that impact the essay’s readability.
The essay is not constructed according to typical American English writing conventions AND contains exceedingly significant errors (more than ~5 per paragraph) that impact the essay’s readability.
The essay cites scholarly sources throughout with appropriate parenthetical attribution, includes a Works Cited page, and adheres to MLA format.
The essay cites scholarly sources throughout, but with errors in appropriate parenthetical attribution, in the reference list, or in general MLA formatting.
The essay may not cite scholarly sources throughout with appropriate parenthetical attribution OR include a Works Cited page OR adhere to MLA format.
The essay does not contain any citations nor a works cited page.