Rubric for Essay #1

The purpose of essay #1 is to take an element of fiction and illustrate how it is implemented in specific examples from the stories read and to demonstrate an ability to write a formal, collegiate essay, written in third person, in MLA format. Minimum Length: 2.5 pages. (If there are any questions regarding what constitutes a half, fold the paper horizontally in the middle. Voila! In other words a “half” does not mean three lines.)

CORRECT MLA FORMAT - 10 pts.

~ Correct header

~ Correct heading

~ Title is in correct placement, font

~ Double spaced

~ Correct margins

Introduction - 10 pts.

~ Interesting/adequate opening introduces topic

~ Makes thesis statement regarding the element to be analyzed

Body Paragraphs - 30 pts.  [content and support----SPECIFICS!!]

~ introduces the stories and authors and supports thesis statement through specific examples presented in each story

~ contains an implied or explicit topic sentence

Coherence & Unity - 25 pts.

~ information is in a logical, interesting order & sequence

~ no illogical OR unnecessary statements to distract

~ paper is fluent; flows with adequate transitions so that ideas are easily followed

Grammar & Mechanics - 15 pts.

~ At the LEAST, the essay has NO:

                                    misspelled OR misused words

                                    fragments OR comma splices OR run-on sentences

                                    faulty tense shifts

                          pronoun/antecedent errors

                                                vague pronoun references

Conclusion - 10 pts.

~ intelligent, relevant, compliments the paper

            ~ leaves reader with positive impression of composition as a whole

In addition to the above, every misused homonym or sound alike word will cost a point. Examples:  

its/it's                            they're/their/there                          mist/midst
are/or/our                     then/than                                       weather/whether
were/where                  quiet/quite                                     fulfilling/foe filling
higher archery/hierarchy                                                   reviled/revealed
reins/reigns/remains                                                          doing/during
closes/clothes                          

                       

Because EVERYONE wants an "A:"     An "A" paper contains exemplary language, correct usage, and insight—these qualities  separate a paper that is exceptional or outstanding from a paper that is very good.