Name:
Block:
Mr. MacDonald’s Midterm Grading Breakdown
______ 1. “If—” Rewrite + Drafts—50%
- Already turned in! See flipside for grading rubric.
______ 2. Written Explanation and Analysis of your poem focusing on the anchors that
converge to build the big idea. Also, address how the motif of irony and contrast
contributed to the construction of this message—25%.
- Due Monday, 12/15. You must bring a printed copy to class on Monday.
______ 3. Recitation and Performance of Your Poem—25%.
- Poems will be performed on Wednesday, 12/17. Practice and revision (yes, again) are essential to your success. You must
bring TWO printed copies of your poem with you to class on Monday. See below for speaking rubric.
If for some reason you won’t perform your poem, you will not receive credit for this portion of the midterm.
Public Speaking Skills
Quality and Impact Score
Flow, Cadence, and Rhythm
10
8
6
4
2
Fluency and Volume
10
8
6
4
2
Confidence, Enthusiasm, and Connection with
Audience
10
8
6
4
2
Clarity, Intonation, and Annunciation
10
8
6
4
2
Physical: Gestures, Eye Contact, and Posture
10
8
6
4
2
Comments
/50
“If—” Reinvention Poetry Project Rubric
Ability to
Captivate
the Reader
Unfocused; author
seems unsure of
direction.
(1-2 pts.)
Some focus, but
lacks continuity is
lost, at times.
(3-4 pts.)
Well-focused and
interests reader
throughout.
(5-6 pts.)
Captivates and
involves reader
deeply.
(7-8 pts.)
Big idea is not
apparent or
somehow
contradicted.
(1-3 pts.)
Big idea is
somewhat vague
or somehow
confusing.
(4-6 pts.)
Big idea is clear
but could be more
effectively evoked
(7-9 pts.)
Multiple anchors
converge tactfully
and work with
devices to build
a big idea.
(10-12 pts.)
Imprecise or
Inappropriate
choice of words;
Wordly Wise
words are used
incorrectly or are
absent.
(1-2 pts.)
Thoughts are
limited or unclear
due to word
choice; Wordly
Wise words are
used incorrectly or
are absent.
(3-4 pts.)
Uses mostly
effective language;
some words could
be changed to
enhance meaning;
Wordly Wise words
are generally used
effectively
(5-6 pts.)
Uses rich, complex,
meaningful
language
throughout; word
choice is exact; all
Wordly Wise words
are used effectively.
(7-8 pts.)
Rhythm &
Flow
Kipling’s rhythm
is virtually absent;
flow is absent;
this distracts from
the poem’s
meaning.
(1-3 pts.)
Kipling’s rhythm
not matched with
consistency; flow
is inconsistent;
this distracts from
the poem’s
meaning.
(4-6 pts.)
Kipling’s rhythm
is matched
mostly; flow
mostly works.
(7-9 pts.)
Kipling’s rhythm
is matched
throughout;
flow is clear.
(10-12 pts.)
Devices
Limited irony and
contrast is used.
(1-2 pts.)
Contrast and irony
are present, but
ideas may be
miscommunicated
or confused.
(3-4 pts.)
Irony and contrast
are used, but their
use could be more
effective in
context.
(5-6 pts.)
Irony and contrast
build and help to
generate a feeling
of balance.
(7-8 pts)
Evocation of
Thematic
Anchors and
the Big Idea
Use of
Language
Comments and Grade
Other Requirements
Printed before class (1 pt.)
Drafts Attached (1 pt.)
/50