Unit 1 Essay Rubric – The Alchemist Thematic Analysis English I G/T A: An excellent paper (A+: 98, A: 95, A-: 92) - Writing shows good critical intelligence, careful workmanship - Thesis clearly and cohesively addresses prompt and provides insight as to the theme(s) of the text and the strategies used to accomplish the theme(s) - Evidence is specific and well-chosen and clearly illustrates the points made by the topic sentences and thesis - Analysis connects evidence to topic sentences/thesis and uses the evidence to prove the thesis; no “how” or “why” questions are left unanswered - Organization is organic and clear; transitions are smooth and content is presented in a logical and sensible order - Paragraphs are coherent and well-developed; sentences are clear in meaning - Word choice is exact, appropriate and sensitive; syntax is varied - Quotations are smoothly, and clearly, and grammatically incorporated into the writer’s prose; there are no floating quotations; quotation choice is exact and pertinent - Very few minor grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors; no major errors C: A good, average paper (C+: 79, C: 77, C-: 75) - Writing is routine and too general; flat - Thesis addresses the prompt but does not provide full insight into theme(s) and strategies. - Some evidence is strong, but some evidence could be better-chosen or more specific; not all evidence directly correlates to topic sentences and thesis - Some analysis connects evidence to topic sentences/thesis and uses the evidence to prove the thesis; “how” or “why” questions are left unanswered; analysis needs more depth and detail - Organization is unclear at times; little transition from paragraph to paragraph; structure is formulaic with arbitrary paragraph placement - Paragraph structure loose; sentences not cohesive, limited fluency - Word choice generally appropriate; syntax plain without much variety - Questionable quotation choice and implementation; routine quotation incorporation; lead-ins too vague - Multiple grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors B: A very good paper (B+: 88, B: 85, B-: 82) - Writing shows better than average ability to relate ideas - Thesis addresses prompt and provides insight as to the theme(s) of the text and the strategies used to accomplish the theme(s) but may be less sophisticated or eloquent than an A thesis. - Evidence is well-chosen and illustrates the points made by the topic sentences and thesis; slightly less sophisticated or specific than an A paper - Analysis connects evidence to topic sentences/thesis and uses the evidence to prove the thesis; a few “how” or “why” questions are left unanswered - Organization is clear, but it could be stronger; structure is formulaic with some awkward transitions and some paragraphs in an order that is not the most effective possible - Paragraphs are well-developed; sentences are clear and progress the essay - Word choice is good; syntax is varied - Quotation choice is good; no floating quotes; quotation incorporation is good, but not outstanding; lead-ins set up the quote - Few grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors D: A paper that is below average (D: 73, D-: 70) - Writing is thin, vague - Thesis addresses the prompt but does not provide full insight into purpose(s) and strategies; may not be easy to find within the paper. - Failure to support thesis completely or clearly - Much evidence is poorly chosen or weakly correlated to topic sentences and thesis - Analysis is inadequate and does not connect evidence to topic sentences and thesis; “how” and “why” questions are left unanswered - Organization unclear; lacks transition from paragraph to paragraph; progression of ideas not entirely logical - Paragraphs incoherent; poorly developed; sentences awkward or overly simple, no fluency - Poor quotation choice; floating quotations; poor quotation incorporation; lacks sufficient lead-ins - Word choice stale, inappropriate; little to no variety in syntax - Grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors F: An insufficient paper (F+: 60, F: 50) - Paper does not meet minimum requirements of assignment - Paper does not address the prompt - Paper does not support thesis - Writing is thin, vague, stale - Textual misunderstandings; mistakes in comprehension of text - Evidence and analysis are either absent or inadequate; minimal effort is demonstrated - Organization weak or absent; illogical progression of ideas; no transitions - Paragraphs are poorly developed; sentences awkward, unclear - Word choice is often inept; syntax is elementary - Distracting combinations of grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors Point Deductions - One error in MLA formatting (-5) - Multiple errors in MLA formatting (-10) - One day late (-20) - Two days late (-40) - Three or more days late (-50) - Parenthetical citations missing (Paper receives a 0) - Works Cited page missing (Paper receives a 0)
