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Grade 11 English: Literary Essay Rubric

Categories

0-1

Knowledge/
Understanding
Introduction:
Body:
Conclusion:

4-5

Opening
paragraph does not
have a hook and/or
thesis statement.
Lacks arguments; lacks
separate ideas and
analysis.
Does not summarize
arguments; does not
bring closure to essay.

Opening paragraph
has an uninspiring hook
and a vague thesis
statement.
Unspecific arguments to
thesis; lack separate ideas
and analysis.
Limited summary of
arguments; attempts to
bring closure to essay.

Opening
paragraph has an
adequate hook and thesis
statement.
3 arguments unspecific to
the thesis. Each
argument has only 1
separate idea with limited
analysis.
Some summary of
arguments and/or closure
to essay.

No examples are used

from the primary text.
Examples and
quotations are not
analyzed effectively
Essay demonstrates
no evidence of
planning.

Insufficient examples are

used from the primary
text.
Examples and quotations
are analyzed with limited
effectiveness.
Essay demonstrates little
evidence of planning.

A few examples are

used from the primary
text to prove all
arguments.
Examples and
quotations are analyzed
with some effectiveness
Essay demonstrates
some evidence of
planning.

There are numerous

errors in diction,
syntax, spelling,
grammar and
punctuation
Writing demonstrates
no attention to flow and
style.

There are frequent errors

in diction, syntax, spelling,
grammar and punctuation
Writing demonstrates little
attention to flow and style.

There are some errors in

diction, syntax, spelling,
grammar and
punctuation
Writing demonstrates
some attention to flow
and style.

Student does not apply

knowledge and skills in
familiar contexts.
Student makes no
connections in essay
Student does not apply
MLA format

Student applies
knowledge and skills in
familiar contexts with
limited effectiveness.
Student makes few
connections in essay.
Student applies MLA
format with limited
effectiveness.

Student applies
knowledge and skills in
familiar contexts with
some effectiveness.
Student makes some
connections in essay.
Student applies MLA
format with some
effectiveness.

Opening paragraph has

an interesting hook and
good thesis statement.
3 arguments specific to
the thesis. Each argument
has 2 separate ideas
adequately linked and
analyzed.
Summarizes arguments
and brings closure to
essay.

At least 3 examples are

used from the primary text
to prove all arguments.
Examples and quotations
are analyzed with
considerable effectiveness
Essay demonstrates
considerable evidence of
planning.

There are few errors in

diction, syntax, spelling,
grammar and punctuation
Writing demonstrates
considerable attention to
flow or style.

Student applies
knowledge and stills in
familiar contexts with
considerable
effectiveness.
Student makes meaningful
connections in essay.
Student applies MLA
format with considerable
effectiveness.

Opening paragraph has

an excellent hook and
clear thesis statement.
3 arguments specific to
the thesis. Each
argument has separate
ideas linked and
analyzed accordingly.
Summarizes arguments
and brings closure to
essay.

Total

/6

Thinking/Inquiry
Evidence:

At least 4-5 examples

are used from the
primary text to prove all
arguments.
Examples and
quotations are analyzed
with outstanding
effectiveness
Essay demonstrates
excellent evidence of
planning.

/6

Communication

There are no errors in

diction, syntax, spelling,
grammar and
punctuation
Writing demonstrates
excellent flow and style.

/6

Application

Student applies
knowledge and skills in
familiar contexts with
excellent effectiveness.
Student makes
excellent, meaningful
connections in essay.
Student applies MLA
format with excellent
effectiveness.

/6