Literary Essay Rubric

4 3 2 1
 My thesis is a  My thesis is a  My thesis is an  My thesis is not an
Thesis

thoughtful and clear
argument, which
makes a unique claim
about the novel.
 Acknowledges a
counterclaim
thoughtful argument argument that may be argument or it is not
that makes an unoriginal, or too related to my novel.
interesting claim simple.
about the novel.

   
EssayStructure of

My introduction My introduction My introduction may My introduction may

clearly includes a mostly includes a include a short not include a short
short summary, my short summary, my summary, my theories summary, my theories
theories and my theories and my and my thesis, but not and my thesis.
thesis. thesis. all of them.  Few or none of my
 My body paragraphs  Most of my body  Some body body paragraphs
each have a main paragraphs have a paragraphs have a have a main
idea/topic sentence main idea/topic main idea/topic idea/topic sentence.
 My conclusion clearly sentence. sentence.  My conclusion does
summarizes my  My conclusion  My conclusion almost not summarize my
argument and makes summarizes my summarizes my argument or brings up
a link/connection to argument and tries to argument, though it new ideas without
other texts or ideas. make a link/ fails to make a explanation.
connection to other connection or there
texts or ideas. are “loose ends.”
   
Evidence

Each paragraph Each paragraph Each paragraph may My paragraphs do not

clearly supports my
thesis.
 My body paragraphs  Most of my body
each have 2 or more
relevant
examples/quotes to
support my argument
and an
analysis/interpretation
of how they support it.
seems to support my support my thesis,
thesis. though not clearly.
 My body paragraphs
paragraphs include 2 include fewer than 2
relevant examples or quotes
examples/quotes to to support my
support my argument argument or they do
and an explanation of not explain how the
how they support it. evidence supports it.
support my thesis.
 My body paragraphs
do not clearly include
evidence or the
evidence is not
relevant to the thesis.

   
EditingGrammar and ThoughtfulnessCohesion &Overall

Overall, my essay Overall, my essay My essay attempts to My essay does not

clearly communicates communicates my communicate my demonstrate my
my thinking about the thinking about the text thinking about the text thinking about issues
text and why the and why the issues but fails to address in the text.
issues raised are raised are important. why the issues raised  My examples are
important.  My essay shows why are important. mainly re-tellings of
 My essay shows those examples  My essay attempts to parts of the story
insight into why those chosen are show why those  My essay is choppy.
examples chosen are significant. examples chosen are The sections feel
significant.  My essay flows well significant. separate and do not
 My whole essay flows with transitions  My essay is choppy. flow.
smoothly with between paragraphs. The sections feel
transitions between separate and do not
thoughts. flow well.

 My final draft had less  My final draft had
than 3 errors in between 3 to 6 errors
spelling, grammar, or in spelling, grammar,
punctuation. or punctuation.
 I kept my tense  I kept my tense
consistent throughout mostly consistent
the essay. throughout the essay.
 Used MLA citation  Used some aspect of
format for quotes. MLA citation for
quotes.
 My final draft had  My final draft had
more than 6 errors in many more than 6
spelling, grammar, or errors in spelling,
punctuation. grammar, or
 I had some errors in punctuation.
tense consistency.  I had many errors in
 Used one aspect of tense consistency.
MLA citations for  Didn’t use MLA
quotes. citation for quotes.