1. Unity: The essay should be about one main idea or topic. All of the paragraphs in the essay should support this main idea.
2. Organization: The essay should be organized into an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should introduce the main idea of the essay and the body paragraphs should support the main idea. The conclusion should summarize the main idea and leave the reader with a final thought.
3. Coherence: The essay should be easy to read and understand. The sentences and paragraphs should flow smoothly together. The essay should also use transitions to help readers move from one idea to the next.
4. Development: The essay should provide enough evidence and support to back up the main idea. The essay should also provide analysis and commentary on the evidence.
5. Style: The essay should be written in a clear, concise, and engaging style. The essay should use active voice and strong verbs. The essay should also avoid clichés and jargon.
6. Grammar and mechanics: The essay should be free of grammatical and mechanical errors. This includes errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.