ENGL Exposition and persuasion

Thesis

Does the essay contain a single central idea around which it is organized? Does it stay on topic from beginning to end?

support

Are the supporting paragraphs limited to a single idea that helps develop the thesis? How are the paragraphs developed — definition, classification, comparison or contrast, cause and effect, or examples? Is the detail specific and concrete enough to prove the thesis or topic sentence?

organization

Does the development move from general to specific, or vice versa? Do ideas follow logically from one another, presenting an argument free of gaps and loopholes?

coherence

Does the essay flow from one idea to the next, using sufficient transitional words and repetition of ideas to connect concepts smoothly?

clarity

Is the meaning always clear or is it sometimes clouded by faulty grammar, sentence structure, or mechanics of the language?

tone and level of language

Are the tone and level of language consistent and appropriate to the message of the essay?

style

Is the style interesting, creative, and suitable to the content and audience of the work?