UNACCEPTABLE	SPROUT   (EMERGING)	SPROUT & LEAVES (DEVELOPING)	FLOWERING PLANT (PROFICIENT)
INTRODUCTION	No thesis No context No summary of points to be explored in body of paper	Thesis stated  Little or no context  And/or no summary of the argument to be explored in the body of the paper Or, thesis is unclear	Thesis clear Context addresses what and why Summary of argument is included (i.e., overview of points to be discussed in body of paper)	Introduction engages the reader and signals the intent of the paper  Language is fluent and interesting  Clear, relevant thesis stated Context is clearly developed  Concession offered  Summary of argument is included
BODY OF PAPER	Unconnected to introduction Unsupported opinions used to develop argument No use of text references to support claims	Ideas connected to introduction/ but organization is unclear Claims based on texts but ideas not explored Or, claims made but do not support an overall argument Some use of text references to support claims Each text treated separately	Each paragraph clearly connected to introduction or to preceding paragraph(s) Claims based on text and the ideas are explored and developed Claims build an argument Good use of text references Comparison and contrast of authors' ideas provided	Parallel construction (paragraph order equals summary in introduction)  Appropriate use of text references to support claims  Thorough exploration of claims and possible counter-arguments to build argument  Language use engaging and fluent Comparison and contrast of authors' ideas conceptually developed
CONCLUSION	No concluding paragraph  Or the paragraph introduces new information	Concluding paragraph reviews some of major points No conclusion offered related to thesis	Concluding paragraph reviews all major points No conclusion related to thesis	Reviews major points in interesting way Offers conclusion about thesis

 

	UNACCEPTABLE	SPROUT   (EMERGING)	SPROUT & LEAVES (DEVELOPING)	FLOWERING PLANT (PROFICIENT)
ACCURACY OF CLAIMS	Most claims indicate lack of understanding of the texts	Part of the information indicates understanding of text but many gaps in logic or understanding	Individual theories, models, research understood but connections reveal inaccurate understanding	All claims demonstrate good understanding of authors' arguments in our texts and relationships of theories, models, research
SYNTHESIS	No synthesis. Body of paper offers separate summaries of ideas from the texts but no generalizations, explanations, or conclusions.	Attempts at synthesis indicated through combining ideas from the texts. However, no conclusions or generalizations are offered.	Conclusions or generalizations offered but not both Or conclusions & generalizations drawn directly from texts and do not represent ability to create new ideas	The paper demonstrates Ability to create new ideas and generalizations based upon previous knowledge and experiences. Ability to relate knowledge from several areas and draw conclusions
MECHANICS	Many spelling errors that could have been detected by spell-checker  Many grammatical errors	Spelling or grammatical errors but not both  Lack of noun/pronoun agreement  Lack of subject/verb agreement Or other consistent grammatical errors	Spelling or grammatical errors that spell check could miss	Correct spelling  No grammatical errors
APA	Incorrect citation format  Incorrect reference format  Past tense not used  Active voice not used	Some citations in correct form  Some references in correct form  Past tense used  Active voice used	Most citations in correct form  Most references in correct form  Past tense used  Active voice used	Correct citations Correct reference list format  Appropriate use of past and present tense  Active voice