RUBRICS IN LITERARY ANALYSIS
Name___________________________________
Skill Area 6 5
Responses at this
level:
Meaning Offer insightful
Sound understanding, interpretations of the text
interpretation, and analysis with analysis that goes
well beyond a literal
level.
Development Specific Develop ideas clearly,
and relevant details that elaborate on specific
support the thesis textual evidence, and
reveal an insightful
understanding of the
author’s use of literary
elements and
techniques.
Organization Thesis Contain a compelling thesis
statement and statement, use insightful
organization of key analytical topic and
elements of support concluding sentences, and
and paragraphing make skillful use of
transition words and
phrases.
Responses at this level:
Offer accurate
interpretations of the text
with analysis that goes
beyond a literal level.
Develop ideas clearly,
explain key textual
evidence, and reveal an
understanding of the
author’s use of literary
elements and
techniques.
Contain a clear thesis
statement, use topic and
concluding sentences,
and make use of
transition words and
phrases.
Grade and Section______________ Score_____________
4 3 2 1
Responses at this level: Responses at this level: Responses at this level: Responses at this level:
Convey an accurate Convey a partly accurate Convey a confused or Provide no evidence of
although somewhat basic understanding of the text largely inaccurate understanding and
understanding of the text and offer few or understanding of the make no
and offer superficial interpretations text and offer unclear interpretations.
partially explained with a interpretations.
and/or somewhat tendency to retell.
literal interpretations.
Develop some ideas more Develop ideas briefly or Contain textual evidence Do not include textual
fully than others, using partially, using some that is vague, ir relevant, evidence and reveal no
relevant textual evidence textual evidence but w/o repetitive and/or understanding of the
and reveal some much unjustified and reveal a author’s use of literary
understanding of the elaboration and reveal a confused understanding of elements and
author’s use of literary vague understanding of the author’s use of literary techniques.
elements and the author’s use of elements and
techniques. literary elements and techniques.
techniques.
Contain a clear thesis Fail to maintain focus Establish a confused or ir Fail to include a thesis.
statement but ideas within on the thesis relevant thesis. Exhibit Exhibit a complete lack
paragraphs statement. Exhibit a some attempt to provide of organization. Make
may be inconsistently basic structure but lack a beginning, middle, and no attempt to use
organized. Make some coherence. Make an an end. transitions.
attempt to use basic inconsistent attempt to Make little attempt to use
transitions. use transitions.
transitions.
Language Use language that is Use language that is Use appropriate Rely on basic vocabulary Use language that is Use language that is
Word choice and precise, engaging, and original and incorporate language and make and rely on a limited imprecise or incoherent or
sentence variety sophisticated and some varied sentence some attempt to use range of syntactic unsuitable and reveal a inappropriate and include
incorporate a wide patterns. sentence variety but with structures. confused understanding a preponderance of
range of varied uneven success. of how to write in sentence fragments
sentence patterns. complete sentences. and run-ons.

Conventions Spelling, Demonstrate control of Demonstrate control of Demonstrate partial Exhibit frequent errors Exhibit frequent errors Exhibit numerous
punctuation, the conventions with the conventions, control, exhibiting that somewhat hinder that make errors of several
capitalization, usage essentially no errors. exhibiting occasional occasional errors that do comprehension (e.g. comprehension difficult kinds.
errors only when using not hinder agreement of pronouns (e.g. subject- verb
sophisticated language comprehension (e.g. and antecedents, spelling agreement).
(e.g. incorrect use of of basic
punctuation of complex homonyms). words, errors in verb
sentences). tenses).