Content & Understanding:
* Strong understanding of the topic: Do you demonstrate a clear grasp of the subject matter? Have you done your research thoroughly?
* Relevance: Is your essay focused on the prompt and does it answer the question directly? Does it stay on topic?
* Analysis & Interpretation: Do you go beyond merely summarizing information? Do you offer insightful analysis and interpretation of the text, evidence, or concepts?
* Evidence: Do you support your claims with strong evidence from credible sources? Does the evidence directly relate to your points?
* Argumentation: Do you present a clear and convincing argument? Are your points logically connected and well-supported?
Structure & Organization:
* Clear thesis statement: Is your main argument stated clearly and concisely in a thesis statement?
* Logical organization: Is your essay structured logically? Does it flow smoothly from one point to the next?
* Paragraphing: Are paragraphs well-developed, focused on a single idea, and connected to the overall thesis?
* Transitions: Do you use transitional words and phrases to smoothly connect ideas and create a cohesive flow?
Style & Language:
* Clarity & Conciseness: Is your writing clear, concise, and easy to understand?
* Formal Tone: Is your language appropriate for an academic essay (avoiding slang, contractions, and overly informal language)?
* Sentence Structure & Variety: Do you use a variety of sentence structures to make your writing more interesting and engaging?
* Grammar & Mechanics: Is your essay free from grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation errors?
* Vocabulary: Do you use a sophisticated vocabulary appropriate for the topic and audience?
Other Important Factors:
* Originality: Does your essay offer fresh insights or perspectives? Do you go beyond the obvious?
* Engagement: Is your essay interesting and engaging to read? Do you use vivid language and compelling examples?
* Conclusion: Does your essay end with a strong conclusion that summarizes your main points and leaves a lasting impression on the reader?
In addition to these general criteria, examiners may look for specific skills depending on the level of study and the type of essay. For example, in literary analysis essays, examiners might focus on:
* Close Reading: Your ability to analyze the text closely and identify key literary elements (e.g., theme, symbolism, character development).
* Critical Thinking: Your ability to think critically about the text and offer insightful interpretations.
* Persuasive Arguments: Your ability to construct a clear and convincing argument about the text.
Remember, each essay is unique. Be sure to review the specific requirements and rubrics provided by your instructor or exam board to understand exactly what they are looking for.