iRubric: Catcher in the Rye Analytical Essay rubric

Thesis is vague, unclear, and unpersuasive.

Thesis is specific, debatable, and provable, but not complex and/or is awkwardly expressed.

Thesis is specific, debatable, provable, and complex. It is clear and readable.

Thesis is specific, debatable, provable, complex, and original. It is clear, concise, and insightful.

The introduction is unfocused and does not include author or title.

There is a clear introduction that includes author and title.

The introduction leads into the thesis and provides information necessary for understanding why the writer will make this particular argument.
-Includes author and title.

-The introduction "hooks" the reader and leads clearly into the thesis, providing all the necessary information to explain why the writer will make this particular argument.
-Includes author and title (italicized).

Conclusion provides incomplete summary

Conclusion summarizes argument

Conclusion summarizes argument and is moderately successful in pushing thesis in a new direction

Conclusion draws together main points of the argument and extends the thesis to further consider its implications for understanding the novel as a whole

-Does not provide quotes in every paragraph
-Quotes are not relevant to the thesis.
-Quotes are not introduced.

-Provides quotes in every paragraph, but some may not be relevant to the thesis
-Quotes are drawn from only limited parts of the text.
-Quotes are not introduced effectively with no attempts at integration.

-Provides quotes in every paragraph that support the central claims of the thesis
-Quotes come from different parts of the text.
-Quotes are introduced effectively with some integration into the writer's prose.

-Provides support for the argument by offering effective and appropriate quotes in every paragraph
-Quotes are drawn from different parts of the text to demonstrate an understanding of the novel as a whole.
-Quotes are introduced effectively and integrated well into the writer's prose.

-Simple vocabulary
-No sentence variety
-Inappropriate stylistic choices

-Simple vocabulary
-little sentence variety
-Overuse of contractions or vague pronouns
-Some errors in sentence structure

-Effective use of vocabulary
-Moderately successful in varying sentence structure
-Minor flaws in usage of contractions or vague pronouns

-Rich, effective use of vocabulary
-Uses a variety of long and short sentences
-No use of contractions or vague pronouns
-Sentences are clear and structured effectively.