THESIS - a central idea, the engine of your analysis

>>focused: central question of the essay is defined sharply
>>adrift: issue addressed by essay is defined vaguely, if at all

>>engaging: ideas form an argument, essay has a purpose
>>aimless: ideas fit together indifferently, almost at random

>>creative: ideas spring from independent thinking
>>unimaginative: ideas are a rehash of class discussion

>>sophisticated: controlling idea is marked by nuance, alert to subtleties
>>simplistic: main idea is obvious, predictable, unadventurous

DEVELOPMENT - the unfolding of your idea from paragraph to paragraph

>>dynamic: essay grows to fit idea, goes where it needs to go
>>static: essay structure is formulaic, prefabricated (e.g., the 5-paragraph theme)

>>purposeful: thesis controls organization, shapes a smooth train of paragraphs
>>plot-driven: plot summary hijacks essay, dictates the succession of paragraphs

>>responsive: central idea progresses, each paragraph builds upon the previous one
>>repetitious: main idea gets stuck, becomes repetitive

>>flowing: topic sentences show how each paragraph connects with previous one
>>disorientating: topic sentences fail to show relationship between ideas

SUPPORT - the clarity of your evidence at each step of the way

>>insightful: firm grasp of ideas, comprehension of text
>>confused: shaky discussion of concepts, misreading of text

>>thorough: evidence to back claims is fully explored, reasoning well laid out
>>spotty: claims are unsubstantiated, explanations are lacking

>>coherent: paragraphs address specific issues one at a time, make clear points
>>diffuse: paragraphs wander about, fail to take shape around a single idea

>>proportionate: paragraph length is well suited to delivering each idea powerfully
>>skimpy or bloated: paragraphs are either too brief or too drawn out to have an impact

>>contextual: examples, quotations, points are properly framed by judicious summary
>>fragmentary: textual details seem to crop up from nowhere, don't fit together