Inadequate

Adequate

Good

Superior

Thesis

No clear thesis statement

Vague or unclear thesis

Identifiable, clear thesis

Easily identifiable, clear thesis

Research

Much or most research information is inaccurate or incomplete

Weak research information used to support/prove thesis

Accurate and adequate research information used to support thesis

Accurate and thorough research information to support/prove thesis

Content

Little, if any, development of supporting ideas

One to Two supporting ideas show a weak structure and do not flow smoothly

Two to three supporting ideas are clearly written; some ideas may not prove thesis appropriately

Three or more supporting  ideas are clearly written and flow logically to prove thesis

Conventions

More than five sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and/or punctuation errors.

Four to five sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and/or punctuation errors.

Two to three sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and/or punctuation errors.

No more than one sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and/or punctuation error.