These sample essays were originally handwritten by students but are shown typed here for ease of reading. The essays are displayed exactly as students wrote them, without any corrections to spelling, punctuation, or syntax. One handwritten sample essay is provided to illustrate the need for legible and clear handwriting.

A category 4 essay presents “adequate mastery, although it will have lapses in quality.” Characteristics include :

Developed point of view on the topic in question

Competent and adequate examples and evidence

Some coherence succession of ideas

Adequate, but inconsistent use of language

Some variety in sentence structure

Several grammar, usage, and mechanics errors .