Essay Requirements

Level 1

Ideas

Thesis:

• Answers the question
• Narrow and manageable

Support:

• Thesis supported by at least three minor premises (paragraphs)
• Frequent specific textual references
• Not summarizing the plot in “book report” form

Organization

• Introduction:
• Complete paragraph
• Presents thesis
• Inviting

Conclusion:

• Complete paragraph
• Closure
• Reviews thesis

Organization:

• Organized into paragraphs
• Unified by thesis
• Linear (not repetitive)

Paragraphs: topic sentence, unity

Voice

Clarity

Word Choice

Language uses proper denotation and diction

Sentence Structure

Sentences: Essay uses complete sentences, without sentence errors: fragments, run-ons, comma splices, rambling sentences

Mechanics

No focus errors

-0.1 for every error

Presentation

Typed papers should use 12-point type of a clearly readable font. Margins should be 1” top, bottom, left, and right. The paper should be double spaced. Front page or title page should contain name, course, assignment, date assignment was due. The essay should have a title that describes your thesis.

posted by Jeffrey @ Wednesday, October 19, 2005