Scoring Guide for Hero Essay

4 Exemplary

All criteria for Proficient have been met
Student uses primary sources (e.g., interviews, letters, documents)
Content reflects in-depth analysis (e.g., compares/contrast hero nominee to another famous person)

3 Proficient

Content
- Opening paragraph makes the reader want to read on
- Opening paragraph includes thesis statement (qualities of a hero and your nominee)
- A minimum of three specific reasons why your nominee is a hero are given
- Every detail supports the thesis statement
- Every detail is in a logical order
- General, trivial statements are avoided
- All sentences are original
- Conclusion wraps up the essay in an interesting way
- Essay has been proofread for meaning
Organization
- Essay has a clear beginning, middle, and end
- Transition words and phrases are used
- Paragraphs contain topic sentences and sufficient details
Sentence Structure
- A variety of sentence structures are used (simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex)
- Sentences begin in different ways
- Complete sentences are used
Mechanics
- Essay has been proofread for errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar
Writing Process
- Student demonstrates evidence of following the writing process: prewriting, drafting, editing, revising

2 Progressing

1 Not Yet Meeting the Standards