Researched Literary Analysis Rubric
*Final Draft Rubric: The base score range is 70-84 and represents the proficient completion of all standards for this assignment.
Scoring
Criteria
Exemplary
The essay exceeds expectations - awesome!
Organization ➢ Thesis is complex and sophisticated.
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Thesis
and
Topic
Sentences
5%
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Text
Evidence
25%
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Analysis
30%
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Introduction
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5%
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Conclusion
5%
Grammar
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Thesis addresses all aspects of the prompt and
seeks to further the topic of research.
Organization enhances the argument.
Paragraphs include topic sentences that directs
back to the thesis and embody the focus of the
paragraph in full.
Topic sentences are complex and beyond typical
transitions.
Transitions are fluid and do not take away from
the flow of ideas.
5 points
Well-chosen quotes and paraphrases which are
effective evidence and help move the argument.
Integration of varied sources is seamless.
2-3 more source than required by paper
instructions. No block or extensively long
quotes.
At least 3 pieces of evidence per paragraph.
21-25 points
Proficient
The essay did everything it was supposed to do
and has met minimum standards.
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Contains a central claim of the argument that is
sophisticated and apparent.
Narrows to specific focus and a unique voice.
5 points
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10%
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Clear in its claims and assertions.
Clear, effective topic sentences that provide a ➢
specific focus for each body paragraph.
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Sustain coherence and voice with use of
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transition and word choice.
Sequences ideas and uses effective
transitions to create coherence.
Thesis contains unclear or no purpose or
organization.
Thesis does not answer all portions of the
prompt or address the so what argument.
Argument does not follow a linear path.
Sometimes or never contains assertions that
announce the main point of the paragraph;
Sustains minimal transition and/or voice or
lacks transitions and/or voice at all.
0-3 points
Clear, purposeful organization.
Re-emphasizes the thesis.
Moves the argument to a wider context.
Makes intelligent recommendations.
5 points
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Wide variety in sentence structures.
Close to flawless and without grammatical
errors.
Academic language and tone is flawless.
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Well-chosen quotes and paraphrases that
effectively supports the writer’s thesis.
Introduced and embedded varied sources
effectively (i.e. context is provided).
Exact number of sources instructions require.
No block or excessively long quotes.
2-3 pieces of evidence per paragraph.
17-20 points
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Analysis draws meaningful connections
between the textual evidence and the thesis.
There is 2x-3x more analysis than text
evidence.
20-24 points
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Clear and focused introduction with voice.
Contains central claim.
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Contains just the thesis or has no thesis.
Presents general subject without focus or
lacks voice.
0-3 points
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Lacks thesis or simply restates thesis.
Does not move argument to wider context.
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4 points
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9-10 points
MLA
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4 points
Clarifies the argument through meaningful
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connections with the research.
Sophisticated in depth interpretation of the
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evidence (at least 2-3x more analysis than evid.).
25-30 points
10%
One sentence thesis which fully answers the
prompt and addresses the so what argument..
Undeveloped
The essay fell short of my expectations - it
requires more editing.
There are no “exceeds expectations” points for MLA ➢
formatting and in text citations as these are
minimum expectations for a college literature class ➢
and failure to comply with MLA standards could
result in plagiarism charges.
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Conclusion effectively ends the essay
without unnecessary information or
presenting new information.
4 points
Provides weak or no interpretation of the
evidence (less than 2x analysis to evid.).
Lack of discussion of literary work and/or
research.
0-19 points
0-3 points
Uses appropriate diction and a variety of
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sentence structures.
Demonstrates a general command of written
conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation, ➢
usage, capitalization, etc.).
Utilizes academic language and tone
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throughout.
7-8 points
Parenthetical citations are formatted
correctly.
12pt, Times New Roman, Double Spaced,
Remove additional spacing before and after.
MLA Heading and Title on page 1.
Last name and page number in header.
7-10 points
Few or no quotes.
Provides weak or no evidence.
Little or no integration of quotes.
Sources not varied.
Less than 2 pieces of evidence per
paragraph at times.
Includes excessively long or block quotes.
0-16 points
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No sentence variety; many fragments or
run-ons, many errors in punctuation,
grammar, and spelling.
So many errors that meaning is obscured, or
the paper is plagiarized
Includes any contractions or uses pronouns
you, your, me, my, I, we, our, etc.
0-6 points
Any errors in the heading, header, double
spacing, font, or title.
Consistent and regular errors in the in text
citations.
The paper is plagiarized.
0-6 points
Researched Literary Analysis Rubric
Works
Cited
10%
There are no “exceeds expectations” points for the
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Works Cited page as these are minimum
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expectations for a college literature class and failure
to comply with MLA requirements could result in
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plagiarism charges.
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Last page of essay.
Citations are double spaced with hanging
indention.
If more than one, sources are in alphabetical
order by the first word in the citation.
Citations comply with MLA 8th ed.
standards.
7-10 points
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Works Cited page is missing or has
significant and consistent errors in
formatting.
Citations are not in alphabetical order.
Citations do not comply with MLA 8th ed.
Standards.
The paper is plagiarized.
0-6 points