ENGLISH 303 ESSAY CRITERIA

1. You did not provide a proposal.
• a. You assumed a proposal but did not state it.
• b. You stated a proposal, but it was vague or too broad.
• c. You stated a general solution, but did not provide your audience with a specific action to take.
• d. You provided an audience with a proposal, but there is some question whether your audience an act on it.
• e. If the audience followed your recommendation, it would not have the desired effect.
2. You provided an adequate proposal.
3. You provided an outstanding proposal will probably bring about the change you desire.

1. You did not address an audience.
• a. Your audience was too broad (for example, you addressed the "readers of Time).
• b. You started with one audience, but switched to another one.
2. Your audience was fairly well defined.
3. Your audience was well defined and you did an excellent job of addressing it.

1. You had neither topic sentences nor logical development.
• a. You had topic sentences, but they were not logical.
• b. You had logical development, but you did not provide topic sentences.
• c. You had topic sentences, but they did not support your thesis.
• d. You had topic sentences that did not address the self-interest of your audience.
2. You had both topic sentences and logical development. These provide a competent but uninspired framework for your argument.
3. You had excellent topic sentences and logical development.

• a. You provide no support.
• b. You provide support in an apparently random order.
• a. You provide some support, but they are too general and vague.
• b. You provide some support, but too many do not belong where you place them.
• c. Your support is of the "crank" variety; i.e., it is unreflective and uninformed and simply reflects popular stereotypes on the subject rather than careful research.
1. You provide support in the proper places and give a basic case for your argument.
2. Your support is clear and provides a forceful case for your argument.

1. Your essay lacks coherence and cohesion. Transitions are ineffective. The paragraphs read like a list, with no connection between the sentences.
2. The paragraphs have a general focus, but some sentences are unrelated. Coherence, cohesion, and transitions need work.
3. Paragraphs are generally well developed with fewer than three problems of focus, unity, or coherence. Transitions may be a bit forced.
4. Paragraphs are focused, unified, and coherent. Transitions are logical and effective.

1. 10+ errors.
2. 9 errors.
3. 4-8 errors.
4. 1-3 errors.