We observe many different holidays. Think about a holiday or official celebration that you would like to see changed in some way or even eliminated altogether.

Write an essay in which you propose that this holiday be either changed or eliminated. Give convincing reasons to support your argument.

Score = 6

Excellent

Develops ideas well and uses many specific, relevant details throughout the essay. Is well organized with clear transitions; maintains focus. Sustains varied sentence structure. Exhibits many specific word choices. Contains little or no errors in grammar and conventions; errors do not interfere with understanding.

Persuasive mode

Clearly states the position and effectively persuades the reader of validity of argument.

Score = 5

Skillful

Develops ideas with some specific, relevant details. Is clearly organized; information is presented in an orderly way, but essay may lack transitions. Exhibits some variety in sentence structure. Displays some specific word choices. May contain some errors in grammar and conventions; errors do not interfere with understanding.

Persuasive mode

Clearly states the position and persuades the reader.

Score = 4

Sufficient

Provides clear ideas, but sparsely developed; may have few details. Provides a clear sequence of information; provides pieces of information that are generally related to each other. Generally has simple sentences; may exhibit uneven control over sentence structure. Consists mainly of simple word choices, but may contain some specific word choices. Contains errors in grammar and conventions that generally do not interfere with understanding.

Persuasive mode

States a position and adequately attempts to persuade the reader.

Score = 3

Uneven

Provides limited or incomplete information; may be list-like or have the quality of an outline. Is disorganized or provides a disjointed sequence of information. Exhibits uneven control over sentence structure. May have some inaccurate word choices. Contains errors in grammar and conventions that sometimes interfere with understanding.

Persuasive mode

While a position is stated, either it is unclear or undeveloped.

Score = 2

Insufficient

Provides little information and makes little attempt at development. Is very disorganized or too brief to detect organization. Exhibits little control over sentence structure. Contains inaccurate word choices in much of the essay. Is characterized by misspellings, missing words, and incorrect word order; errors in grammar and conventions are severe enough to make understanding very difficult in much of the essay.

Persuasive mode

Either a position is not clearly given or little attempt is made at persuasion.

Score = 1

Unsatisfactory

Attempts a response, but may only paraphrase the prompt or be extremely brief. Exhibits no control over organization. Exhibits no control over sentence structure. Contains inaccurate word choices throughout most of the essay. Is characterized by misspellings, missing words, and incorrect word order; errors in grammar and conventions severely impede understanding throughout the essay.

Persuasive mode

Little effort is made to persuade, either because there is no position taken or no support is given.