Scoring Rubric

Exceeds Expectations

Meets Expectations

Does Not Meet Expectations

Not Included

Ideas & Content

 Title emphasizes main idea

Title is present

 Title lacks originality

Relevant, engaging attention getter

Attn. getter is present

Attn. getter is not engaging and/or relevant

Intro. includes thorough background on author

Intro. includes background on author

Intro. includes little background on author

 Intro. includes thorough background on setting

Intro. includes background on setting

Intro. includes little background on setting

Intro. includes thorough background on  novel

Intro. includes background on  novel

Intro. includes little background on  novel

Introduction includes summary of novel

Introduction includes summary of novel

Introduction includes summary of novel

Clear, focused & relevant thesis statement contains theme(s) and literary device(s) to be discussed

Thesis statement contains theme and literary device to be discussed

Thesis statement does not contains theme and/or literary device to be discussed, may be off topic

Each body paragraph contains a topic sentence w/theme to be discussed

Each body paragraph contains a topic sentence w/theme to be discussed

Topic sentences are vague and/or do not contain theme

Each body paragraph begins with topic sentence that is clearly related to the thesis statement

Each body paragraph contains at least 2 specific examples to support topic sentence

Body paragraph(s) contain 1 example, which may not support topic sentence; examples used lack specificity 

Each body paragraph contains at least 3 specific examples to support topic sentence

Each body paragraph contains at least 2 specific examples to support topic sentence

Body paragraph(s) contains fewer than 2 examples, which may not support topic sentence

Each example is thoroughly explained: who, what, how, why?

Each example is explained: who, what, how, why?

Some examples may exist but are not linked back to the author’s main ideas

The significance/importance of each example is thoroughly explained in detail & connected to thesis

The significance - important of each example is explained & connected to thesis

The explanation of significance - important of each example lacks detail and/or clarity

Accurate & detailed explanations are relevant & prove thesis

Explanations attempt to prove thesis/topic sentences & are relevant

Explanations/evidence Commentary veers off topic or lack some relevance

3+ direct quotations are seamlessly introduced & explained  in the essay

3 direct quotations are included in the essay, introduction or explanation may be problematic

Quotations are included, but may be poorly introduced and/or explanations are lacking in detail

Analysis presented in thoughtful & original way, relates evidence back to thesis

Analysis present but lacks breadth & depth

Little analysis is present, lacks breadth & depth

Conclusion provides sense of

closure & includes reiteration of thematic statement

Conclusion is present; includes reiteration of thematic statement

Conclusion lacking in relevancy and/or  thematic statement off topic

Organization

Essay contains intro., multiple supporting paragraphs & conclusion

Essay contains intro., at least 1supporting paragraph & a conclusion

Paper may be lacking intro., supporting paragraph and/or conclusion.

Fluid and logical structure which employs effective transitions within & between paragraphs

Structure is present, but does not help reader understand content clearly, Transitions exist

Little to no structure and makes reading difficult; Transitions are weak or are almost non-existent

Organization

Exceeds Expectations

Meets Expectations

Does Not Meet Expectations

Not Included

Order of  information is deliberate and makes sense

Order of information makes sense

Information appears in random order and/or does not make sense

Arguments are clearly linked back to the prompt

Arguments are linked back to the prompt

Arguments are not linked back to the prompt

.

Style

Formal diction & tone (no slang or clichés)

Formal diction & tone (no slang or clichés)

Informal diction & tone used, slang and/or clichés present

Sentences of variety & structure

Sentences lack some variety and/or structure

Generally, sentences of little or not variety & structure employed

Varied & engaging word choice, sophisticated vocabulary employed

Varied word choice employed, could use some work on vocabulary usage

Vocabulary use needs improvement

Avoids wordiness & repetition

Avoids wordiness & repetition

Frequently wordy and/or redundant

No “forbidden” words; no personal pronouns

Some “forbidden” words; no personal pronouns

“Forbidden” words and/or personal pronouns used

Grammar, Usage & Conventions

Author demonstrates excellent spelling usage, no errors in homonyms

Spelling is adequate; there are minor error, but they do not affect readability; may contain homonym errors

Proofreading is inadequate. There are significant errors in spelling, which impede readability

Contains grammatically correct

sentences

There are some grammatical errors, but they do not impede readability

Proofreading is inadequate. There are significant errors in grammar, which impede readability

Correct capitalization & punctuation employed

Proofreading has been employed, but there are errors in capitalization & punctuation, errors do not impede readability

Proofreading is inadequate. There are significant errors in capitalization & punctuation. Errors  impede readability.

Active Verbs used, Tense stays consistent

Verb Tense stays consistent

Verb Tense is inconsistent

Prepositions are used correctly

There are errors in usage of prepositions, errors do not impede readability

Proofreading is inadequate. There are significant errors in usage of prepositions

MLA

3+  internal citations properly formatted

There are 3 internal citations properly formatted

Fewer than 3 citations are present but contain errors in formatting

Quotes 4 lines or more are

indented & double spaced

quotes 4 lines or more are indented & double spaced

quotes 4 lines or more are

 not indented and/or double spaced

Works Cited page is arranged alphabetically and in correct

 format

Works Cited page is present but contains some errors

Works cited page may be incomplete and/or is not properly formatted, major errors  exist

Formatting

Essay is word processed, double spaced, with 1” margins

Essay is word processed, double spaced, with 1” margins

Essay is not word processed and/or double spaced, margins -/+ 1”