<p>9/12. I know you used vocab words and gave points for that, but it seems like you got them from a thesarus and used the longest word you found. That may or may not have taken place, but the essay reads a bit pretentiously. Valid reasons and a valid argument.</p>
<p>I would have said 10 or possibly 11, but I don't like your last example. It doesn't really support your thesis, it seems. Other than that, it's quite good, though. 9-10.</p>