RELEVANCE

MECHANICS

ORGANIZATION

THOROUGHNESS

INSIGHT

ORIGINALITY

Exceeds Expectations

Deals directly with the question, in sufficient detail

No significant problems of mechanics (spelling, punctuation, grammar, legibility)

Clear and logical; good development; definite topic sentence

Deals fully with the entire question

Looks beneath the surface; notes subtle relationships

Surprising; unexpected analysis or synthesis

Meets Expectations

Answer is rather brief, or off on a tangent

A few problems, worth some attention

Clear and logical

More than just the basic information

Goes well beyond the basic essentials

Shows independence of thought and/or judgment

Below Expectations

Answer is quite brief, or very off on a tangent

Some problems in need of correction

No major problems of organization

Most of the basic details

Sees many of the essential connections

Actively expresses a point of view

Unacceptable

Answer is quite brief AND way off on a tangent

Mechanical problems impede effective communication

Weakly organized; sentences rambling or repetitious

Some serious gaps

Missing some essential connections

A very routine, disinterested discussion