English III – C. Hall
Literary Analysis Essay Rubric
Topic: Choose a character from any short story we have read. Analyze this character and how he/she embodies a theme or themes of the story.
6
4
2
Controlling Ideas:
Thesis
Compelling and
Clearly stated, with
clear with thoughtful some insight
insight
Clear, but lacking
insight
Present, but
illogical or unclear
Missing
Topic Statements
All are present,
All are present and
clearly relate to the relate to the thesis
thesis, and smoothly
transition
All present, but only
minimally related to
thesis
Some present, but
only minimally
related to thesis
Not present or
completely buried
Chosen details offer
insufficient support,
simple plot summary,
or minimally relate to
main idea
Supporting details
and information are
typically unclear or
not related to the
topic.
Almost no support
or support has no
relation to the main
idea
CATEGORY
10
Relevant details
chosen from close
reading of the text;
clearly and
thoroughly support
body paragraph should thesis
have at least one direct
quote)
Evidence/Support
for Topic:
Completeness/
Relevance (each
8
Some details (but
not quite enough)
that support the main
ideas
Quote Analysis
Quotes are
thoroughly
developed and
insightfully relevant
Quote Integration
Quotes are
Most quotes are
integrated smoothly integrated correctly
into existing
sentences
Some quotes are
integrated correctly
Quotes are not
integrated at all –
they are just
“dropped” into the
essay
Mechanics of
Writing:
Focus and
Organization –
Logical
organization; stellar
transitions;
compelling and
focused
intro/conclusion
Logical organization;
effective transitions;
intro/conclusion
present but not
compelling
All essential parts
present, but
organizational logic or
transitional flow
ineffective
Paragraphs
Missing whole
completely lack
pieces of the essay
organization; have
weak transitions,
intro, or conclusion
Appropriate tone;
accurate AND
sophisticated word
choices
Appropriate tone;
accurate word
choices; no
repetition
Appropriate tone, but
inaccurate or
unsophisticated word
choices and/or
somewhat repetitive
Inappropriate tone; Inappropriate
frequent use of
tone/makes little
inaccurate words;
sense
very repetitive
Grammar and
Spelling
Minimal errors;
sophisticated and
varied sentence
structures
Almost free of errors, Distracting errors
but little variety of
(5-6) or repetitive
sentence structure
sentence structure
Mistakes (7-8)
interfere with
meaning
Barely readable
due to mistakes
(more than 8)
Formatting:
Citations
In-text citations and
the Works Cited
page are complete
and formatted
correctly.
1-2 errors on the
3-4 errors on the
Works Cited page or Works Cited page or
in-text citations
in-text citations
5-6 errors on the
Works Cited page
or in-text citations
More than 6 errors
on the Works Cited
page or in-text
citations
1-2 formatting errors 3-4 formatting errors
5-6 formatting
errors
More than 6
formatting errors
Intro, Hook, Body
Paragraphs,
Conclusion
DictionTone, accurate word
choice, sophistication
(watch repetition)
MLA Format – title Zero formatting
page, page
headings, title, font,
margins, spacing,
etc.
TOTAL SCORE:
errors
Quotes are generally Quotes are weakly
Some quotes are
well-developed and developed
naked – they are
relevant
(unpacked), but show not analyzed
an attempt at analysis
No direct quotes or
relevant
paraphrasing
No direct quotes