Name: _____________________ Essay Topic: ___________________________________________

BASIC CORE EXPANDED CORE

Historical skills and knowledge required Historical skills and knowledge required
to show competence to show excellence

6 points possible Pts. Pts. 3 points possible Points

1. Has acceptable thesis
(does not merely restate the question
– reveals an original interpretation)
2. Addresses all parts of the question,
though not necessarily evenly or
thoroughly
- Task words, content, chronology
Poss. Earned Earned
Expands beyond basic core.
A student MUST earn 6 points in the
1 basic core area before earning points in
the expanded core area.
Points in this core are entirely at the
discretion of the reader.
Examples:
2
• Has a clear, analytical, and
comprehensive thesis

(Addresses most parts of the (1) • Addresses all parts of the question
question) thoroughly

4. Substantiates thesis with accurate and
appropriate historical evidence and A
MAJORITY OF THE
DOCUMENTS PROVIDED (if it is
a DBQ)
• Addresses all parts of the question
2 evenly
• Provides ample historical evidence to
substantiate thesis

(Partially substantiates thesis with (1) • Uses historical context effectively to

appropriate historical evidence; one make argument
or more arguments not as strongly
supported as others)

4. Essay is well-organized (clear • Develops and expands argument with

introduction and preview statements, 1 links to relevant ideas, events, trends
topic sentences)
• Overall argument is sophisticated and
complex

Subtotal: 6 Subtotal:

Total Points (out of 9):

Grading Scale: Comments:

9 = A = 100%= 30
8 = A = 95%=29
7 = B+ = 89%=27
6 = B = 85%=26
5 = C+ = 79%=24
4 = C = 75%=23
3 = D+ = 69%=21
2 = D- = 60%=18
1 = F = 35%=11