A score of 6 designates a
clearly excellent piece of expositional or referential writing.
Focus: the main idea is very clearly stated, and
the topic is effectively limited.
Organization: a logical plan is
signaled by highly
effective transitions; the essay's beginning and end are effectively related to the whole.
Development: all major ideas are set off by
paragraphs which have clearly stated or implied topics; the main idea and all major topics
are supported by concrete, specific evidence.
Style: sentences relate to each other and to the
paragraph topic and are subordinate to the topic; word and phrase choice is felicitous;
tone is consistent and appropriate.
Correctness: there are no major mechanical
errors (e.g., agreement) and only a few minor errors (e.g., spelling).
*References: source material is incorporated
logically, insightfully and elegantly; sources are documented accurately, elegantly and
emphatically.
