Topic well chosen.

Clear, well-met purpose.

Everything relates to thesis.

Thesis is clear, arguable, creative, and well located.

Good, vivid, compelling proof of thesis.

Logical, clear order with original transitions.

Completely clear, vivid, interesting prose.

Less than two grammatical and mechanical errors per page.

Strong opening, body, and conclusion.

Meets all basic requirements of papers.

Topic is good but perhaps unoriginal.

Clear purpose.

A few sentences don't relate to the thesis. Thesis is clear and arguable.

Strong proof of thesis, but may not be vivid or totally compelling.

Some missing or weak transitions, maybe one thing seems out of order.

Very few sentences not completely clear; many sections vivid and interesting.

Between two and five grammatical and mechanical errors per page.

Opening or conclusion may be a bit weak.

Some requirements of assignment barely met.

Topic maybe poorly chosen.

Purpose of paper not clear or not met.

Several sentences don't relate to the thesis. Thesis is unclear, uncreative, or poorly located.

Weak or unclear proof of thesis.

Few or poor transitions and order is illogical.

Lots of unclear sections; very few vivid or interesting passages. Between five and ten grammatical and mechanical errors per page.

Problems with opening or conclusion.

Does not meet requirements of assignment.

Topic is questionable.

Purpose poor and not met.

Entire paragraphs don't relate to the same topic/thesis.

No thesis.

Proof fallacious or irrelevant to issue.

Difficult to perceive pattern of order.

Many unclear sections; almost no vivid and interesting writing.

Mechanical and grammatical errors very common.

Serious problems with opening or conclusion.

Does not meet requirements of assignment.

Topic is inappropriate.

Purpose poor and not met.

No unified topic and thesis.

Proof not logical, not clear, fallacious, or irrelevant.

Writing is extremely unclear, unoriginal, or boring.

Mechanical and grammatical errors very common.

Serious problems with opening or conclusion.