Here is a summary of how to grade an essay. Scoring is from 1 to 9. You can also score essays in between two numbers. For example, if you feel that an essay is somewhere between a 5 and a 6 you can give it a 5/6.
Score of 8-9
• Responds to the question’s tasks
• Demonstrates clear understanding of the questions tasks
• Well Chosen Examples
• Demonstrates maturity and is well organized
• Clear and Focused
• Specific quality details
• Goes beyond the obvious or predictable
Score of 6-7
• Responds to the question’s tasks
• Well written
• Few or minor lapses in grammar and diction*
• Good detail, but less specific than the top essays
• Good analysis, but less developed than the top essays
• Writer’s ideas are presented clearly
Score of 5
• Responds to the question’s tasks
• Carefully written but not as detailed
• Analysis is less developed
• Displays knowledge but uses generalities to relate ideas.
• Some lapses in grammar and diction*
• Some sentences lack precise clarity
• Some spelling errors may be present
Score of 3-4
• Does not respond adequately to the question’s tasks
• Some minor misunderstandings of concepts
• Imprecise or ineffective analysis
• Weak control over grammar and diction*
• Many spelling errors
• Greatly oversimplifies
• Often lacks clarity
Score of 1-2
• Fails to respond adequately to the question’s tasks.
• Response exhibits little clarity about the writer’s understanding
• Exhibits fundamental misunderstandings of concepts
• Consistent weaknesses in grammar
*Diction refers to the choice of words, their arrangement, and the force, accuracy, clarity, and distinction with which they are used.
