Has the writer identified the author and title of the piece he or she is writing about?
Does the writer have a clear focus (thesis)?
Do all of the examples (details, images, word choice) support that focus?
Does the essay have a logical organization?
Does the writer make clear transitions from one paragraph or point to the next?
Does the writer make a point?
Is the level of diction appropriate for the audience, the writer’s ethos, and the essay’s point?
Does the writer maintain a consistent tone?
Does the introduction hook the reader?
Does the conclusion trail off or end abruptly?
Is the prose readable?
Does the writer use correct grammar/mechanics?
Does the writer vary sentence length and structure?
Is the text free from distracting surface errors?
