| Unacceptable | Poor | Okay | Very Good | Excellent | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Basic Requirements:
Does the essay meet the goals of the assignment as laid out in the game book and the role sheet? Is it written in character? Does it reflect the historical context in tone, manner, and expression?
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0
5
None met. Zero if plagiarized.
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6
One expectation met or more than one imperfectly so.
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7
Some expectations met.
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8
Most expectations met.
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9
10
Excelled at meeting all expectations.
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Thesis:
Does the essay develop a clear thesis in keeping with the assignment?
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0
12
No clear thesis. Zero if plagiarized.
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13
14
Thesis is unclear, ill-defined, or merely self-evident.
|
15
16
Thesis is present, but underdeveloped or overly vague or broad. Some parts of the paper do not connect clearly to the thesis.
|
17
18
Clear arguable thesis that functions as the central, organizing idea of the paper, but may have minor lapses in development.
|
19
20
Interesting, sophisticated thesis, to which every part of the essay clearly connects. Well-developed throughout.
|
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Sources/Core Texts:
Does the essay make use of sources as specified by the game materials (usually core texts)? Are they well chosen? Is ample evidence used?
|
0
12
No evidence supplied. Zero if plagiarized.
|
13
14
One quotation or bit of evidence or more but poorly chosen.
|
15
16
Two quotations or pieces of concrete evidence or more evidence but not compelling.
|
17
18
Three well-chosen quotations or concrete evidence.
|
19
20
Laced with compelling evidence.
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Argument:
Does the essay make a strong and well-supported argument? Is it logically organized? Does it employ effective metaphors?
|
0
12
Random ideas; generally incoherent. Zero if plagiarized.
|
13
14
Random ideas; generally incoherent.
|
15
16
A little disordered; poorly employed evidence; rough transitions; no introduction or conclusion.
|
17
18
Coherent order; generally effective use of evidence; intro and conclusion.
|
19
20
Engaging intro; compelling conclusion; smooth transitions; logical order of points; effectivce use of quotes, evidence, and metaphors.
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|
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Writing Style:
Is the essay well written with an engaging and compelling style?
|
0
12
Nearly incomprehensible prose. Zero if plagiarized.
|
13
14
Monotonous sentence structure; simple vocabulary; inconsistent voice.
|
15
16
Sentence structure is
generally correct, but some sentences may be wordy, repetitive, or confusing. Inappropriate tone. Acceptable voice.
|
17
18
Consistently uses words accurately and effectively. Sentences generally clear and focused, but may occasionally be wordy, vague, or ineffective. Good voice.
|
19
20
Sentence structure is varied; sentences are focused and concise. Words chosen for precise meaning. Strong voice.
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|
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Errors:
Is the essay free of grammatical, typographical, formatting, and spelling errors?
|
0
2
Eight, nine, or ten or more errors per page. Zero if plagiarized.
|
3
4
Six or seven errors per page.
|
5
6
Four or five errors per page.
|
7
8
Two or three errors per page.
|
9
10
Error free or nearly so.
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