Rubric for Great Works of Literature Essay
Thesis
So what?
This is very
closely related
to the thesis
(see above).
Your thesis has
to make an
argument that
gives the
reader a sense
that your
argument has a
purpose. Your
comparison
should be
compelling.
Evidence and
Quotation
1
A
States a claim
that is
provable;
states a claim
that is
provocative
and
argumentative,
not just a
statement of
fact; states a
claim that is
exceptionally
creative and
interesting;
finding the
claim is easy
for the reader
and there is no
confusion
what the
paper is
arguing
The paper
vividly and
interestingly
answers the
question “so
what?” not
just for each
small point but
also in general;
the paper
makes a
compelling and
successful case
for why its
claims are
interesting or
important
B
States a claim
that is
provable but
has a few
holes; states a
claim that is
fairly
provocative
and
argumentative,
not just a
statement of
fact; states a
claim that is
creative and
interesting;
the claim is
findable but
could be more
clear
C
States a claim
that is provable
but has a few
holes or seems
tenuous; states a
claim that is only
somewhat
provocative and
argumentative,
but is almost or
basically just a
statement of
fact; finding
what the paper
is attempting to
claim is
somewhat
difficult
D
States a claim that
does not seem
provable; the claim
is a statement of
fact, not an
argument; finding
the claim is very
difficult
F
No thesis stated or
thesis does not
seem provable
The paper
makes a real
effort at
answering the
question “so
what?;” the
paper makes a
case for why
its claims are
interesting or
important
The paper
attempts to
answer the
question “so
what?” but not
in a way that is
fully developed;
the “so what”
seems like it is
tacked on, or not
thoroughly part
of the paper
The paper does not
seem to answer the
question “so what”
or does so only very
minimally
The paper does not
seem to answer the
question “so what”
All claims are
supported by
evidence; the
quotations
chosen are
always the
best ones
possible;
quotes are
always wellintegrated; no
quotes are
digressive or
gratuitous
Most claims
are supported
by evidence;
the quotations
chosen are
mostly the
best ones
possible;
quotes are
mostly wellintegrated;
one or two
quotes are
digressive or
gratuitous
Some claims are
supported by
evidence; the
quotations
chosen are not
usually the best
ones possible;
quotes are not
well-integrated;
some quotes are
digressive or
gratuitous
Most claims are not
supported by
evidence; the
quotations chosen
are typically not the
best ones possible;
quotations are not
well-integrated;
quotes are
digressive or
gratuitous
No evidence or
quotation or if
there are quotes,
they seem
irrelevant
Rubric for Great Works of Literature Essay
A
Progress of
ideas and
paragraphs
Paragraphs are
organized
logically;
argument and
expression of
ideas flow very
cogently and
clearly;
paragraphs
transition
logically and
naturally from
one to the next
Grammar and
Spelling
Perfect
grammar and
spelling
Clarity
The writing is
clear,
understandable,
and elegant
B
Paragraphs are
mostly
organized
logically;
argument and
expression of
ideas mostly
flow cogently
and clearly;
paragraphs
mostly
transition
logically and
naturally from
one to the next
A few mistakes
here and there
but generally
clean
The writing is
somewhat
clear,
understandable,
and elegant
C
2
D
F
Paragraphs and
the flow of
argument are
sometimes
organized
logically but are
mostly
confusingly
Paragraphs and the
flow of argument
are confusing,
contain digressions,
or need clarity
Paragraphs and the
flow of argument
are confusing,
contain digressions,
or need clarity
A lot of
mistakes
Enough mistakes to
make it difficult to
understand the
essay
The writing is very
unclear and
confusing.
Serious inattention
to grammar and
spelling
The writing is
rarely clear and
often confusing.
It is hard to
understand.
The writing is
extremely unclear
and confusing.