Unit 2: Macbeth - Summative Essay

Criteria: A, D
Prompt: Is Lady Macbeth a more malevolent character than her husband? Why or why not? Write a well-crafted
argument using evidence and explanations from the text to support your choice.
General requirements:

 800-1000 words
 Must include a title relating to your chosen argument.
 Must include a clear thesis statement, clearly stating your argument; topic sentences must support the thesis
and clearly state the purpose of the paragraph.
 Must include a clear introduction, conclusion, and counterargument.
 Must follow MLA 9 formatting guidelines.
Task Specific Clarification (TSC):
Criteria B: Organizing
The student …
i. includes the essential elements of an argumentative essay including well-structured introduction, body
paragraphs, counterargument, and conclusion.
ii. organizes opinions in a coherent and logical manner; includes a thesis statement that clearly states the
argument; topic sentences relate to the thesis and state the purpose of the paragraphs; integrates quoted
material effectively into the text.
iii. follows MLA 9 formatting guidelines; includes work(s) cited page and correct in-text citations.

Score Level Descriptor

i. makes minimal use of the elements of an argumentative essay; introduction,
counterargument, and/or conclusion are missing or incomplete.
ii. organizes opinions with a minimal degree of coherence and logic; thesis statement and
1-2 topic sentences are missing or ineffective; does not effectively integrate quoted material
into the text.
iii. does not follow MLA 9 formatting guidelines; does not include a work(s) cited page and
in-text citations missing or incorrect.
i. makes adequate use of the elements of an argumentative essay; introduction,
counterargument, and/or conclusion are present but may be incomplete.
ii. organizes opinions with an adequate degree of coherence and logic; thesis statement and
3-4 topic sentences are somewhat effective; integrates quoted material into the text to some
degree.
iii. adequately follows MLA 9 formatting guidelines; includes work(s) cited page and in-text
citations but some elements are incorrect or missing.

i. makes competent use of the elements of an argumentative essay; introduction,

counterargument, and/or conclusion are present and complete.
ii. organizes opinions with coherence and logic; thesis statement and topic sentences are
5-6 effective; effectively integrates quoted material into the text.
iii. competently follows MLA 9 formatting guidelines; includes work(s) cited page and in-text
citations

i. makes sophisticated use of the elements of an argumentative essay; introduction,

counterargument, and/or conclusion are present and complete.
ii. organizes opinions in a sustained, coherent, and logical manner; thesis statement and
7-8 topic sentences are clear and concise; integrates quoted material into the text in a varied
and sophisticated manner.
iii. makes excellent use of MLA 9 formatting guidelines; includes work(s) cited page and in-
text citations.
Criteria D: Using Language
The student …
 uses a range of appropriate vocabulary, sentence structures/types, and forms of expression.
 constructs an effective argument; incorporates rhetorical devices and appeals designed to persuade the
audience.
 uses correct punctuation, grammar, and word choice; avoids death row words and passive voice; uses the
literary present.
 avoids spelling and typographical errors.

Score Level Descriptor

i. uses a limited range of appropriate vocabulary, sentence structures, and forms of expression.
ii. does not present an effective argument; incorporates a limited range of rhetorical
devices/appeals designed to persuade.
1-2
iii. uses punctuation, grammar, and word choice with limited accuracy; includes frequent use of
death row words and/or passive voice; does not use the literary present.
iv. spells/writes with limited accuracy; errors often hinder communication.

i. uses an adequate range of appropriate vocabulary, sentence structures, and forms of

expression.
ii. presents a somewhat effective argument; incorporates an adequate range of rhetorical
3-4 devices/appeals designed to persuade.
iii. uses punctuation, grammar, and word choice with some accuracy; includes some use of
death row words and/or passive voice; sometimes uses the literary present.
iv. spells/writes with some accuracy; errors sometimes hinder communication.

i. competently uses a varied range of appropriate vocabulary, sentence structures, and forms
of expression.
ii. presents an effective argument; incorporates a range of rhetorical devices/appeals designed to
persuade.
5-6
iii. uses punctuation, grammar, and word choice with a considerable degree of accuracy;
mostly avoids the use of death row words and/or passive voice; consistently uses the literary
present.
iv. spells/writes with a considerable degree of accuracy; errors do not hinder communication.

i. effectively uses a varied range of appropriate vocabulary, sentence structures, and forms of
expression.
ii. presents a sophisticated argument; incorporates a varied range of rhetorical devices/appeals
7-8 designed to persuade.
iii. uses punctuation, grammar, and word choice with a high degree of accuracy; does not use
death row words and/or passive voice; always uses the literary present.
iv. spells/writes with a high degree of accuracy; errors do not hinder communication.