Name:________________________________________________________________________ Period:_________
The Kite Runner Theme Essay Rubric
The “A” essay: 100-92
 Features a well written lead paragraph with four parts: universal topic, context, lead into thesis, and
concrete/abstract thesis. All parts of the lead paragraph flow well together.
 Is organized into three body paragraphs, each with a clear focus. Strongest point appears first.
 Each body paragraph contains a topic sentence that references theme topic or thematic statement.
 Supplies a thorough and appropriate context for each quote.
 Incorporates two or three relevant quotes for each body paragraph.
 Provides an analytical, insightful, and thorough explanation linking each quote to the point and thesis.
 Concluding paragraph restates thesis and comes to a greater insight on topic.
 Is extremely well written with few or no errors in sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
 Utilizes correct MLA in-text citation throughout essay and includes a correct work cited page in MLA format.
The “B” essay: 91-84
 Features a lead paragraph with context and concrete/abstract thesis. Adequate universal topic and lead into thesis.
Lead paragraph is sufficient, but may present some problems with the flow of the writing.
 Is organized into three body paragraphs, each with a clear focus. Strongest point appears first.
 Each body paragraph contains a topic sentence that references theme topic or thematic statement.
 Supplies appropriate context for each quote.
 Incorporates at least two relevant quotes for each body paragraph.
 Attempts to provide explanation linking each quote to the thesis. Some analysis is evident.
 Concluding paragraph restates thesis and reconnects to the topic.
 Is quite well written but includes some errors in grammar and spelling.
 Mostly correct MLA in-text citation throughout essay and includes a correct work cited page in MLA format.
The “C” essay: 83-76
 Features a lead paragraph with a clear “although thesis.” Attempts to include other parts of lead paragraph.
 Is organized into three focused body paragraphs.
 Each body paragraph contains a topic sentence that references theme topic or thematic statement.
 Attempts to provide context for each quote.
 Incorporates at least two quotes for each body paragraph.
 Summarizes (but does not explain) each quote or attempts some analysis, but explanation is lacking.
 Does not provide an explanation linking each quote to the thesis.
 Features a concluding paragraph that restates thesis.
 Is generally well written with complete sentences but contains too many errors in verb tense, agreement, spelling,
punctuation, and capitalization.
 Little or no in-text citation or quotes are made up or irrelevant. Includes a work cited page, but it contains errors.
The “D” essay: 75-68
 Lacks introduction and clear thesis.
 Is not clearly organized or does not have three body paragraphs and/or has less than five paragraphs in total.
 Body paragraphs are not focused with topic sentences.
 Does not provide context for each quote.
 References some quotes but does not have two quotations for each body paragraph.
 Does not provide an explanation linking each quote to the thesis.
 Concluding paragraph is missing or does not restate thesis.
 Contains serious errors in sentence structure and mechanics.
 Little or no in-text citation or quotes are made up or irrelevant. Does not include a work cited page.
The “F” essay: 67-0
 It is clear that the writer did not attempt to incorporate any of the preparation and writing process taught in class.
 The essay lacks effort and does not demonstrate textual knowledge of the novel.
 Little or no evidence from the novel is used: the essay is mainly the writer’s opinion.
 Contains serious errors in sentence structure and mechanics.
 The essay contains three paragraphs or less.
 The essay is irrelevant or fails to follow a theme in the novel.
 No attempt at in-text citation. Does not include a works cited page.
The Kite Runner Theme Essay Final Score
Outline/Rough Draft
30 points
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Peer Reviewed/Revised, Typed Draft 2
20 points
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Final Draft
100 points
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Total
150 points
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