Writer:

Essay 2: Synthesis Essay

4
Intro provides context for the
rest of the paper, thesis is
explicit and clear, conclusion
recasts thesis and provides
cohesion to whole paper

Each text used is summarized

clearly and succinctly with
ideas that relate to the thesis

Criteria
Introduction,
thesis, and
conclusion
(

x5=

Summaries
(

x5=

Synthesis
(

x7=

Organization
and coherence
(

x5=

Mechanics and
citations
(
x3=
)

Well-selected points of
comparison and/or departure
among the texts, clearly
explained relationships
among the texts that support
thesis

Logical order of summaries

and synthesis, transition
sentences and cohesion
markers used effectively
throughout paper
Impeccable spelling,
grammar, word order, word
usage, and punctuation;
proper citation of texts

Levels of Achievement
3
2
Intro provides some
Intro provides little
context for the rest of the context for the paper,
paper, thesis is implicitly thesis is implicit and hard
stated but clear,
to find, conclusion makes
conclusion reiterates
little reference to thesis
thesis with little
acknowledgement of rest
of paper
Summaries could be more Summaries unclear and
clear and succinct, ideas
haphazard, summaries
not explicitly related to
provide too much or too
thesis
little information

1
Intro provides no context
for the paper, thesis is
not explicit or not
present, conclusion does
not refer to thesis and
does not add to cohesion
of paper

Difficult for reader to

know which text is being
discussed, OR
summaries are
insufficient
Points of comparison/
Little connection between No connection is made
departure could be more
texts, similarities/
between texts, no
selective and explicit
differences seem to be
similarities or
although the reader can
randomly selected,
differences are noted,
see how the texts are
difficult for the reader to
the reader cannot see
related
see how the texts are
how the texts are related,
related
is more summary than
synthesis
Order of summaries and
Sequence of summary and Paragraphs seem to be
synthesis could be better
synthesizing points makes out of order and
organized, some transition sense in some of the paper haphazard, no transition
sentences and cohesion
but not all, transition
sentences or cohesion
markers are used but
sentences and cohesion
markers are used
could be more effective
markers are rarely used
Very few errors in
Several errors in spelling, Many errors in spelling,
spelling, grammar, word
grammar, word order,
grammar, word order,
usage, and punctuation;
word usage, punctuation, word usage, punctuation,
few errors in citations
and citation
and citations

Total Grade:
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