Criteria Exceeds Expectations Meets Expectations Needs Improvement Needs Significant Improvement Engagement Contributes to the discussion with original ideas that demonstrate critical thinking and intellectual curiosity and responsiveness towards the subject and the author’s position. Contributes to the discussion with original ideas that require further development and critical thinking; but demonstrates interest and responsiveness towards the subject and the author’s position. Contributes to the discussion; but lacks originality, critical thinking, and interest and responsiveness towards the subject and the author’s position. Fails to contribute to the discussion or to meet the requirements of the assignment, and lacks critical inquiry or interest towards the subject and the author’s position. Preparedness Demonstrates an understanding of the text, shows excellent evidence that main points were understood, and synthesizes relevant points. Demonstrates some understanding of the text, shows basic evidence that main points were understood, and summarizes some relevant points. Demonstrates confusion about the thesis of the text, shows little evidence that main points were understood, and generalizes or understates relevant points. Demonstrates incomprehension of the text and lack of understanding of most of the main points. Research Incorporates research from additional sources, includes proper source attribution and citations, and is respectful towards opposing viewpoints while also including Incorporates some research from additional sources, includes source attribution and citations, and shows balanced inclusion of differing viewpoints. Incorporates examples but no research from additional sources, insufficient source attribution or lacks citations and demonstrates biased viewpoint. Lacks inclusion of additional research, source attribution, and diversity of viewpoints. supporting viewpoints. Quality of Writing and Proofreading Essay is free of grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors; and uses correct diction and syntax. Essay has very few grammar, spelling, punctuation, diction, or syntax errors. Essay has some grammar, spelling, punctuation, diction, and syntax errors that distract the reader. Essay has many grammar, spelling, punctuation, diction, and syntax errors that distract the reader and do not demonstrate effective communication. Total pts: 90-100% 80-89% 70-79% 69-0% .

1. Criteria
Exceeds
Expectations
Meets
Expectations
Needs
Improvement
Needs Significant
Improvement
Engagement
Contributes to
the discussion
with original
ideas that

2. demonstrate
critical thinking
and intellectual
curiosity and
responsiveness
towards the
subject and the
author’s
position.
Contributes to
the discussion
with original
ideas that
require further
development
and critical
thinking; but
demonstrates

3. interest and
responsiveness
towards the
subject and the
author’s
position.
Contributes to
the discussion;
but lacks
originality,
critical
thinking, and
interest and
responsiveness
towards the
subject and the
author’s
position.

4. Fails to contribute to
the discussion or to
meet the
requirements of the
assignment, and lacks
critical inquiry or
interest towards the
subject and the
author’s position.
Preparedness
Demonstrates an
understanding of
the text, shows
excellent
evidence that
main points
were
understood, and

5. synthesizes
relevant points.
Demonstrates
some
understanding
of the text,
shows
basic evidence
that main points
were
understood, and
summarizes
some relevant
points.
Demonstrates
confusion
about the thesis
of the text,

6. shows little
evidence that
main points
were
understood,
and generalizes
or understates
relevant points.
Demonstrates
incomprehension of
the text and lack of
understanding of
most of the main
points.
Research
Incorporates
research from
additional

7. sources,
includes proper
source
attribution and
citations, and is
respectful
towards
opposing
viewpoints
while also
including
Incorporates
some research
from additional
sources,
includes source
attribution and
citations, and

8. shows balanced
inclusion of
differing
viewpoints.
Incorporates
examples but
no research
from additional
sources,
insufficient
source
attribution or
lacks citations
and
demonstrates
biased
viewpoint.
Lacks inclusion of

9. additional research,
source attribution,
and diversity of
viewpoints.
supporting
viewpoints.
Quality of
Writing and
Proofreading
Essay is free of
grammar,
spelling, and
punctuation
errors; and uses
correct diction
and syntax.
Essay has very

10. few grammar,
spelling,
punctuation,
diction, or
syntax errors.
Essay
has some
grammar,
spelling,
punctuation,
diction, and
syntax errors
that distract the
reader.
Essay has
many grammar,
spelling, punctuation,
diction, and syntax

11. errors that distract the
reader and do not
demonstrate effective
communication.
Total pts: 90-100% 80-89% 70-79% 69-0%