BASICS – 1000 – 1500 words ( 4 – 6 pages) – typed, double-spaced, size 12 Times New Roman font – professional grammar, essay structure, style – clarity of expression, clear tone and writer’s stance – clear persuasive thesis, call to action, claims of fact, policy, and value – clear use of quotation, indirect quotation, summary, paraphrase, MLA citation, clear logical sequence of ideas – correct MLA citation of one book, and a variety of other valid sources, including periodicals, websites, interviews, etc. (no Google searches or Wikipedia; sources must be approved by me beforehand and a copy must be included in your draft) PLUSSES – level of research – level of summary and paraphrase – evidence of work on development of writing style and vocabulary – skill in persuading the reader; imagination and creativity – level of use of claims of fact, policy, and value MINUSES – unclear thesis, lack of claims of fact, policy, value – unclear essay structure, poorly organized paragraphs – unprofessional presentation, style, or grammar – insufficient support – unprofessional citations