WRITING & THESIS
5 = Excellent, - no spelling, typographical, or sentence structure errors, takes a thoughtful stance regarding the materials
4 = Exceeds Expectations, - minor problems with spelling, typos, sentence structure, or less relevant or thoughtful stance/opinion
3 = Meets Expectations, - some problems with spelling, typos, sentence structure, or summarizes w/o forming stance/opinion
2 or less = Not Meeting Expectations, - problems with spelling, typos, or sentence structure, or in forming a stance/opinion
may want to seek assistance from the Academic Enhancement Center
 

FAMILIARITY WITH MATERIALS/TEXTS
7 = Excellent - stance supported by thoughtful connections to the text, insightful connections beyond the obvious, direct references to
      (and between) texts that support your argument, evidence of familiarity beyond that covered in class.
6 = Exceeds Expectations - above average familiarity, connections, some insightful or meaningful connections beyond the obvious,
      and/or direct references to (and between) texts that support your argument
5 = Meets Expectations - familiar with texts and grasps obvious connections, some direct references to (and between)
      texts that support your argument.
4 or less = Not Meeting Expectations - little evidence of familiarity with texts, limited connections
      to (and between) texts, may want to seek assistance from the Academic Enhancement Center
 

CONNECTIONS BEYOND THE TEXTS/CLASS
7 = Excellent - stance supported by thoughtful, relevant, and insightful connections of text material to
      personal experiences, current issues, or other learning experiences that support your argument.
6 = Exceeds Expectations - well developed connections of text material to personal experiences, current issues,
      or other learning experiences that support your argument
5 = Meets Expectations - some connections of text material to personal experiences, current
      issues, or other learning experiences that support your argument
4 or less = Not Meeting Expectations - lacks meaningful connections of text material to personal
      experiences, current issues, or other learning experiences that support your argument
 

ORGANIZATION & SELF-EXAMINATION
5 = Excellent - well organized, strong introduction, body, and conclusion to stance, strong evidence of self-examination,
      insightful and meaningful connections to who you are or want to become
4 = Exceeds Expectations - above average intro., body, conclusion, evidence of self-examination, meaningful connections to
      who you are or hope to become
3 = Meets Expectations -  intro, body, and conclusion, some evidence of self-examination
2 or less = Not Meeting Expectations - problems with organization, lacks important elements of self-examination,
      may want to seek assistance from the Academic Enhancement Center