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Analytical Writing Analytical Writing This rubric aids in grading a thesis-driven analytical essay. Rubric Code: YXBW4A9 By michelle_smith Ready to use Public Rubric Subject: English Type: Writing Grade Levels: 9-12

Analytical Writing
	Excellent 4 pts	Good 3 pts	Fair 2 pts	Poor 1 pts
Claim/Position/Thesis	Excellent Thesis is specific, debatable, provable, complex, and original. It is clear, concise, and insightful.	Good Thesis is specific, debatable, provable, and complex. It is clear and readable.	Fair Thesis is specific, debatable, and provable, but not complex and/or is awkwardly expressed.	Poor Thesis is vague, unclear, and unpersuasive.
STRUCTURE
Introduction	Excellent -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).	Good The introduction leads into the thesis and provides information necessary for understanding why the writer will make this particular argument. -Includes author and title.	Fair There is a clear introduction that includes author and title.	Poor The introduction is unfocused and does not include author or title.
Organization	Excellent -Paragraphs build from smaller to larger claims in a logical order, joined by effective transitions. -Paragraphs begin with effective topic sentences (specific, provable, debatable). -Paragraphs focus only on one idea.	Good -Paragraphs are set up in a logical order, with transitions. -Paragraphs begin with clear topic sentences. -Paragraphs focus only on one idea.	Fair -Paragraphs are arranged with no clear order. -Some paragraphs lack topic sentences. -Poor or awkward transitions.<BR> -Some paragraphs lack clear focus.	Poor -It is difficult to understand the argument because it lacks a clear organizational structure. -No topic sentences or transitions. -Paragraphs are unfocused and poorly structured
Conclusion	Excellent Conclusion draws together main points of the argument and extends the thesis to further consider its implications for understanding the issue as a whole	Good Conclusion summarizes argument and is moderately successful in pushing thesis in a new direction	Fair Conclusion summarizes argument	Poor Conclusion provides incomplete summary
SUPPORT
Textual evidence	Excellent -Provides support for the argument by offering several effective and appropriate arguments from several resources.	Good -Provides support for the argument by offering some effective and appropriate arguments from a couple of resources.	Fair Provides support, but some may not be relevant to the thesis	Poor -Does not provide support.
Analysis	Excellent Evidence is a combination of paraphrase and direct quotes that, focused upon specific language within quotes, is analyzed thoroughly and explained clearly to show relevance to the writer's argument.	Good Evidence is paraphrased analyzed and explained in some detail to show relevance to the writer's argument.	Fair Quotes are explained in a general way, but with no reference to specific language or details.	Poor Quotes simply appear without explanation or analysis.
STYLE & MECHANICS
Style	Excellent -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.	Good -Effective use of vocabulary -Moderately successful in varying sentence structure -Minor flaws in usage of contractions or vague pronouns	Fair -Simple vocabulary -little sentence variety -Overuse of contractions or vague pronouns -Some errors in sentence structure	Poor -Simple vocabulary -No sentence variety -Inappropriate stylistic choices
Mechanics	Excellent -Rules of grammar followed; the piece has minor errors only, so the essay is exceptionally easy to read.	Good -Errors in grammar and mechanics, but not enough to distract the reader from the content.	Fair - Enough errors in grammar and mechanics that the reader is distracted, but the essay is still readable.	Poor - Enough errors in grammar and mechanics to distract the reader from the content and interrupt the flow of the essay.
MLA Format	Excellent Cites correctly; MLA formatting was applied correctly in all aspects.	Good Only cites some of the time or citations are only partially correct; MLA formatting was applied correctly in most aspects.	Fair Does not cite or cites completely incorrectly; MLA formatting was applied correctly in a few aspects.	Poor Does not cite at all; MLA formatting was not applied.

Keywords:

thesis, expository essay, textual analysis

Subjects:

English

Types:

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