Rating 5

• Thoroughly addresses the social, political, and economic effects of imperialism, utilizing most of the documents and incorporating outside information that relates to the documents.
• Thorough discussion of the positive and negative effects of imperialism that is richly supported with accurate facts, examples, and details.
• Clearly stated thesis that is supported by accurate interpretation and analyzes of most of the documents and outside information that relates to the documents.
• Analysis reflects the conflicting perspectives and complexity of the issue and document.
• The documents are analyzed, synthesized, and woven into the body of the essay.
• The conclusion summarizes key arguments and points made in the essay.

Rating 4

• Addresses most of the social, economic, and political effects of imperialism. Utilizes most of the documents and incorporates limited outside information which may be somewhat uneven in treatment.
• Discussion of positive and negative effects of imperialism is supported with accurate facts, examples, and details.
• Thesis is supported by accurate interpretation, analyzes most of the documents with limited outside information.
• Analysis reflects the conflicting perspectives and complexity of the documents. May be descriptive or analytical.
• Conclusion summarizes key arguments and points made in the essay.

Rating 3

• Addresses some of the social, economic, and political aspects of imperialism. Utilizes some of the documents with little or no outside information.
• Attempts to discuss the positive and negative effects of imperialism, which may be supported with some facts and examples. Minimal factual errors may be present.
• Thesis statement may simply restate the task and not establish a position. May not fully support the thesis statement.
• Thesis statement may be missing or not supported.
• Conflicting perspectives are acknowledged. Discussion of the documents may be more descriptive than analytical. Paraphrasing of the documents may be present.
• Conclusion maybe a simple restatement of the task.

Rating 2

• Attempts to address the issue of imperialism with limited use of the documents. No outside information is apparent.
• Some recognition of the positive and negative effects of imperialism with little discussion or use of factual knowledge.
• Thesis statement may be missing or vague.
• Discussion merely reiterates the contents of the documents. Only one perspective of imperialism may be acknowledged.
• Conclusion may be vague or missing.

Rating 1

• Demonstrates a very limited understanding of imperialism.
• Little or no recognition of the effects of imperialism.
• No thesis statement.
• Fails to use the documents or references are vague.
• No conclusion.

Rating 0

• Fails to address the task.
• No response.
• Blank paper.