Independent Novel Paper
Candidates will choose an independent novel from the list provided in the class syllabus
or as approved by the professor. Each candidate will write a paper on his/her
independent novel utilizing their understanding of adolescent literature and literary
theory. The paper will focus on one literary theory from those discussed in class (reader
response theory, social theory, gender theory, deconstructionism, and historical
perspective) and demonstrate how the novel lends itself to that theory.
The paper will be graded on the following:
 Content (Knowledge of literature and theory/Understanding of reading processes)
 Format - MLA
 Grammar/Conventions
 Works Cited
Content includes:
 A relevant thesis that carries throughout the paper
 Use of one literary theory
 Use of MLA internal citations (5-10)
 Prominent use of research i.e. sources (3)
 3-5 pages in length
Format includes proper use of MLA format:
 Appropriate title
 Correct margins (1” on all sides)
 Name block and title placed correctly on first page
 Last name and page numbers placed correctly (1/2” margin in upper right corner)
 Correct use of internal citation
 Font is 12 point and of a readable nature
Grammar/Conventions include:
 Correct paragraph structure
 Use of elevated, formal vocabulary (minimum of conversational language/”to be” verbs)
 Use of transitions at the start and within paragraphs as necessary
 Correct sentence structure (i.e. no fragments or run-on sentences)
 Correct grammar (no spelling errors)
 Properly placed punctuation
 Verb and pronoun agreement (no use of “you” or other first person pronouns)
Works Cited includes:
 All sources used in the paper
 All sources correctly cited in MLA format (alphabetical order – double spaced)
 At least three sources
Independent Novel Paper Rubric
Standards
NCTE:
3.5 (3.5.2, 3.5.3,
3.5.4)
25%
NCTE:
2.4,
3.3 (3.3.1, 3.3.2,
3.3.3)
25%
Components of Paper
Knowledge of literature
and theory
The paper demonstrates use
of an independent novel
chosen from a list of over
thirty YA novels, as well as
the use of one literary
theory discussed in class.
A connection between the
chosen independent novel
and other YA works
discussed in class (over
twenty works) is evident.
Understanding of reading
processes
The paper demonstrates
habits of critical thinking
and judgment and
understanding of reading
processes, discussing
interpretations, meaning
making, and strategies for
teaching.
Exemplary (3)
Paper consistently and
thoroughly includes a
thesis focusing on a YA
novel and its
connections to a literary
theory and other YA
works discussed in
class.
Superior (2)
Paper usually and
extensively includes a
thesis focusing on a YA
novel and its
connections to a literary
theory and other YA
works discussed in class.
Satisfactory (1)
Paper sometimes and
adequately includes a
thesis focusing on a YA
novel and its
connections to a literary
theory and other YA
works discussed in
class.
Unsatisfactory (0)
Paper inappropriately
and superficially
includes a thesis
focusing on a YA
novel and its
connections to a
literary theory and
other YA works
discussed in class.
Paper consistently and
thoroughly
demonstrates habits of
critical thinking and
judgment and
understanding of
reading processes,
discussing
interpretations,
meaning making, and
strategies for teaching.
Paper usually and
extensively
demonstrates habits of
critical thinking and
judgment and
understanding of reading
processes, discussing
interpretations, meaning
making, and strategies
for teaching.
Paper sometimes and
adequately
demonstrates habits of
critical thinking and
judgment and
understanding of
reading processes,
discussing
interpretations,
meaning making, and
strategies for teaching.
Paper inappropriately
and superficially
demonstrates habits of
critical thinking and
judgment and
understanding of
reading processes,
discussing
interpretations,
meaning making, and
strategies for teaching.
NCTE:
3.4 (3.4.2)
Use of format (MLA)
20%
Use of MLA format
demonstrates the ability to
properly cite sources.
NCTE:
3.4 (3.4.2)
Use of grammar &
conventions
15%
Use of grammar and
conventions demonstrates
the ability to write clearly
and concisely on an
assigned writing
process/novel.
Paper consistently and
thoroughly includes a
title following the
conventions of MLA:
correct margins, page
numbers, placement of
name block, use of
internal citations, font
size, etc. The paper
uses 5-10 internal
citations and is 3-5
pages in length.
Paper usually and
extensively includes a
title following the
conventions of MLA:
correct margins, page
numbers, placement of
name block, use of
internal citations, font
size, etc. The paper uses
5-10 internal citations
and is 3-5 pages in
length.
Paper sometimes and
adequately includes a
title following the
conventions of MLA:
correct margins, page
numbers, placement of
name block, use of
internal citations, font
size, etc. The paper
uses internal citation
but may not use 5-10
internal citations. The
paper may be a bit less
than 3 pages or a bit
more than five pages in
length.
Paper inappropriately
and superficially
includes a title
following the
conventions of MLA:
correct margins, page
numbers, placement of
name block, use of
internal citations, font
size, etc. The paper
may use internal
citation but may not
use 5-10 internal
citations. The paper
may be less than 3
pages or more than
five pages in length.
Paper consistently and
thoroughly shows
attention to correct
paragraph structure, use
of elevated formal
diction (vocabulary),
use of transitions,
appropriate sentence
structure (i.e. no
fragments and/or runon sentences), a
minimum of grammar
and punctuation errors,
and proper pronoun and
verb agreement (no use
of first person
pronouns).
Paper usually and
extensively shows
attention to correct
paragraph structure, use
of elevated formal
diction (vocabulary), use
of transitions,
appropriate sentence
structure (i.e. no
fragments and/or run-on
sentences), a minimum
of grammar and
punctuation errors, and
proper pronoun and verb
agreement (no use of
first person pronouns).
Paper sometimes and
adequately attention to
correct paragraph
structure, use of
elevated formal diction
(vocabulary), use of
transitions, appropriate
sentence structure (i.e.
no fragments and/or
run-on sentences), a
minimum of grammar
and punctuation errors,
and proper pronoun and
verb agreement (no use
of first person
pronouns).
Paper inappropriately
and superficially
attention to correct
paragraph structure,
use of elevated formal
diction (vocabulary),
use of transitions,
appropriate sentence
structure (i.e. no
fragments and/or runon sentences), a
minimum of grammar
and punctuation errors,
and proper pronoun
and verb agreement
(no use of first person
pronouns).
NCTE:
3.7 (3.7.1)
15%
Use of works cited
Works cited demonstrates
use of major sources of
research and theory related
to English language arts
Works cited
consistently and
thoroughly cites three
sources that are used in
the paper, are properly
formatted in MLA
style, and are timely
and appropriate.
Works cited usually and
extensively cites three
sources that are used in
the paper, are properly
formatted in MLA style,
and are timely and
appropriate.
Works cited sometimes
and adequately cites
three sources that are
used in the paper, are
properly formatted in
MLA style, and are
timely and appropriate.
Works cited
inappropriately and
superficially cites
three sources that are
used in the paper, are
properly formatted in
MLA style, and are
timely and appropriate.