Name __________________________________
Avallone 12AP
Date _____
Period ____
Critical Essay on Hamlet: “To prove or disprove, that is the question…”
Objective: Students will choose a pre-determined thesis to compose a well-developed
literary analysis of Hamlet.
Requirements:
1. Textual evidence with cited page/line references (parenthetical citation);
remember that each example or quote should be followed by a clear explanation
as to why it is important or proves your point. The approach you take will
determine whether you need to incorporate additional outside sources and
research. If you do incorporate more than one source you must include a works
cited page in MLA format. (for example: items articles from Bedford or lit. crit.
packet)
2. THESIS statement should be clearly worded based on pre-selected critical
views and follow an appropriate attention step. You may develop your paper
inductively or deductively; if you choose to develop it inductively then your thesis
will be in the conclusion.
3. An effective organizational structure that utilizes transitions to maintain
clarity, coherence and unity.
4. Appropriate tone and diction for audience, subject and purpose. (no
contractions or slang, reference to literary terms, SAT vocab)
5. Rough draft should be proofread to eliminate errors in grammar, usage and
mechanics.
6. Final draft should be typed in MLA manuscript format. Submit both the
rough and final draft along with this assignment sheet and any pre-writing you
completed. Staple the items in chronological order with the final draft on top.
How your paper will be assessed:
 Your paper will be scored using the generic 9 point rubric used for AP style
prompts on the back of this sheet. This score will assess the overall writing
quality and effectiveness of your analysis. (50 points)
 You will also receive a grade assessing your satisfactory completion of the
components listed in the requirements. (25 points)
 I will not score papers submitted without a rough draft, not typed, or not turned in
on the deadline.
 If you are not satisfied with your 9 point score you may resubmit it to me a week
after it has been returned to you. It should be accompanied by a brief reflection on
what you changed in the paper.
Thesis Statements:
1. Hamlet is an idealist who is repelled by the evils that surround him; consequently
he is incapable of taking action and withdraws into the world of his own mind.
2. Hamlet’s perception of reality is much more acute than that of the other characters
and is thus able to see through the superficialities of the Danish court to its
underlying corruption.
3. Hamlet’s feigned madness serves no useful purpose; rather, it arouses the
suspicions of the King and other members of the court, leading to its destruction.
4. Hamlet’s feigned madness is due not only to necessity; rather, he has a natural
inclination for pretense and dissimulation.
Name __________________________________
Avallone 12AP
Date _____
Period ____
Generic Rubric for AP-Style Prompts
9 The response meets the criteria for an 8 and exhibits greater depth an/or impressive
control of language. The writer’s voice is original and strongly present.
8 The maturely written response clearly focuses on the topic and effectively employs
substantial supporting evidence.
Accurately and insightfully focuses on the topic
Refers to specific examples and clearly connects them to the topic
Demonstrates an ability to control a wide range of the elements of effective
writing
7 The response meets the criteria for a 6 and provides a more complete analysis and/or
greater stylistic maturity.
6 The well-written response adequately focuses on the topic and adequately uses
supporting evidence.
Adequately focuses on the topic
Uses some examples to support ideas and adequately connects them to the topic
Demonstrates a clear prose style
5 The adequately written response usually focuses on the topic and includes some
supporting evidence but may be inconsistent and simplistic in its explanations.
Usually focuses on the topic
Uses examples which may be vague, superficial, or unrelated to the topic
Adequately written but may demonstrate inconsistent control of language
4 The inadequately written response may include the following flaws:
Weakly focuses on the topic
Consists largely of generalizations with minimal support lacking connection to the
topic
Sufficiently written to convey the writer’s ideas, but may have weak control over
diction, syntax, grammar, spelling, or organization
3 The response meets the criteria for a 4 but is less perceptive and less consistent in
controlling the elements of writing. (Responses that merely restate or paraphrase the
topic may earn no higher than a 3.)
2 The response demonstrates little success in analyzing the topic or using strategies.
Incompletely and imprecisely identifies the topic
Exhibits slight or misguided evidence with no connection to the topic
Demonstrates consistent weaknesses in writing
1 The response earning a score of 1 meets the criteria for the score of a 2 but is
undeveloped, simplistic, and weakly written.
0 The response is completely off topic or blank.