This document provides a scoring guide for essays that propose solutions to problems. It evaluates essays based on how well they define the problem, describe their proposed solution, argue in support of that solution, address alternative solutions and objections, and follow MLA formatting standards. Essays are scored as excellent, good, fair, or poor based on the thoroughness and quality of their treatment in each of these areas.

1. Essay #4 Proposing Solutions Essay Scoring Guide
A Well-
Defined
Problem
A Clearly
Described
Solution
A Convincing Argument in
Support of the Proposed
Solution
An Indication of Readers’ Objections
and Questions
An
Evaluation of
Alternative
Solutions
Language Use MLA
Formatting
E
x
c
el
l
l
e
n
t
The problem
is clearly
defined and
the
introduction
successfully
establishes
that the
problem
needs
solving.
The writer
clearly
describes a
solution,
making it
easy for
readers to
understand.
The solution
is very
detailed in its
description.
The plausible reasons for the
writer’s position show insight
into the issue.
All of the writer’s points
regarding the proposed
solution are convincing and
adequately supported.
The writer successfully
argues that the solution is
feasible.
All of the writer’s points use
well-chosen textual support.
All paragraphs have strong
topic sentences and are well
organized.
The writer successfully anticipates
objections and questions regarding the
proposed solution.
The writer successfully addresses
objections and questions readers might
have about the proposed solution.
The essay transitions successfully
between accommodating or refuting
alternative solutions and objections.
The essay is well argued and devoid of
logical fallacies.
The essay
convinces
readers that the
proposed
solution is
preferable to
alternative
solutions.
The writer conveys interest,
passion and engagement to
the reader.
The writer uses precise,
expressive language, which
may include wit, humor, or
figurative language.
Vivid vocabulary and a
compelling voice energize
the topic.
The essay includes a variety
of sophisticated sentence
structures.
Sentences are free from
major grammatical errors.
There are no major
punctuation problems and
few to no typographical
errors.
All references
to sources are
accompanied by
in-text citations.
The paper
contains an
accurate Works
Cited page.
Formatting is
perfect.
G
o
o
d
The problem
is clearly
defined and
the
introduction
successfully
establishes
that the
problem
needs
solving.
The writer
clearly
describes a
solution,
making it
easy for
readers to
understand.
The solution
is very
detailed in its
description.
The plausible reasons for the
writer’s position show insight
into the issue.
All of the writer’s points
regarding the proposed
solution are convincing and
adequately supported.
The writer successfully
argues that the solution is
feasible.
Nearly all of the points use
well-chosen textual support.
Nearly all paragraphs have
strong topic sentences and are
well organized.
The writer successfully anticipates
objections and questions regarding the
proposed solution.
The writer successfully addresses
objections and questions readers might
have about the proposed solution.
The essay is predominantly successful
in transitioning between
accommodating or refuting alternative
solutions and objections.
The essay is well argued and devoid of
logical fallacies.
The essay is
predominantly
successful in
convincing
readers that the
proposed
solution is
preferable to
alternative
solutions.
Clear sentences and accurate
vocabulary engage the
readers in the topic
The essay includes a variety
of sentence structures
Sentences have only a couple
of major grammatical errors
and no pervasive pattern of
error.
The essay may include some
punctuation problems or
typographical errors
All references
to sources have
in-text citations.
A Works Cited
page is present,
but may be
incorrectly
formatted.
A few mistakes
may occur in
formatting.

2. F
a
I
r
The problem
is vaguely
defined and
the
introduction
does not
successfully
establish that
the problem
needs
solving.
The writer
describes a
solution, but
it is not
always easy
for readers to
understand.
The solution
is somewhat
detailed in its
description.
The plausible reasons for the
writer’s position do not always
show insight into the issue.
Most of the writer’s points
regarding the proposed
solution are convincing and
adequately supported.
The writer inconsistently
argues that the solution is
feasible.
Several of the points use well-
chosen textual support.
Most paragraphs have strong
topic sentences and are well
organized.
The writer inconsistently anticipates
objections and questions regarding the
proposed solution.
The writer inconsistently addresses
objections and questions readers might
have about the proposed solution.
The essay is uneven in terms of
successfully transitioning between
accommodating or refuting alternative
solutions and objections.
The essay is inconsistently argued, but
is devoid of logical fallacies.
The essay
inconsistently
convinces
readers that the
proposed
solution is
preferable to
alternative
solutions.
Sentences show mostly
accurate vocabulary.
This essay may contain
minor problems in grammar,
punctuation, or word choice,
which distract the reader but
do not get in the way of
ideas.
Sentences show some
variation of structure and
style.
In-text citations
are present, but
are insufficient.
The Works
Cited page may
be incorrectly
formatted.
A few mistakes
occur in
formatting.
P
o
o
r
The problem
is vaguely
defined and
the
introduction
does not
successfully
establish that
the problem
needs
solving.
The writer
describes a
solution, but
it not easy for
readers to
understand.
The solution
is vague in its
description.
The plausible reasons for the
writer’s position are unclear
and do not show insight into
the issue.
Most of the writer’s points
regarding the proposed
solution are not convincing or
adequately supported.
The writer inconsistently
argues a solution that may not
be feasible.
Few of the points use well-
chosen textual support.
A few paragraphs have strong
topic sentences but are not
well organized.
The writer inconsistently anticipates
objections and questions regarding the
proposed solution.
The writer inconsistently addresses
objections and questions readers might
have about the proposed solution.
The essay does not successfully
transition between accommodating or
refuting alternative solutions and
objections.
The essay is inconsistently argued, and
has logical fallacies.
The essay
does not
convince
readers that the
proposed
solution is
preferable to
alternative
solutions.
Sentences are very simple,
showing little to no variation
in structure.
The essay contains serious
grammatical errors, making
the essay difficult to
understand at times
Word choices are very
repetitious or frequently
inaccurate.
No in-text
citations.
The Works
Cited page is
missing or
incomplete,
OR the
formatting is
problematic.