Emerging
Developing
Proficient
Advanced
Thesis
Thesis is
not an
argumen
t, is not
related
to the
novel, or
does not
exist.
Thesis is
an unclear
argument
OR does
not identify
a specific
character
and/or
does not
make a
claim
about his
or her loss
of
innocence/
coming of
age
Thesis is a
clear
argument,
identifying
a specific
character
from the
novel and
making a
claim
about his
or her loss
of
innocence/
coming of
age
Structur
e of
Essay
Introduct
ion does
not
provide
a
complet
e
summar
y of the
characte
rs
develop
Introductio
n does not
provide a
complete
summary
of the
characters
developme
nt
throughout
the novel
but does
Introductio
n includes
a short
summary
of
characters
developme
nt
throughout
the novel
and
includes
Thesis is a
thoughtful
and clear
argument,
identifying
a specific
character
from the
novel and
making a
specific
claim
about his
or her loss
of
innocence/
coming of
age
Introductio
n includes
a brief yet
comprehen
sive
summary
of the
characters
developme
nt
throughout
the novel
Evidence
ment
througho
ut the
novel
and/or
does not
include
the
thesis.
None of
the body
paragra
phs
have a
topic
sentenc
e/main
idea.
Conclusi
on does
not
summari
ze the
argumen
t at all
OR does
not
exist.
One or
more
paragra
phs do
not
include the
thesis.
Few of the
body
paragraphs
have a
topic
sentence/
main idea.
Conclusion
does not
summarize
the
argument
sufficiently.
Each
paragraph
may
support
the thesis,
the thesis.
Most of the
body
paragraphs
have a
topic
sentence/
main idea.
Conclusion
summarize
s the
argument
Each
paragraph
seems to
support
thesis.
and
includes
the thesis
statement.
All the
body
paragraphs
have a
topic
sentence/
main idea.
Conclusion
clearly
summarize
s the
argument.
Each
paragraph
clearly
supports
the thesis.
Overall
Cohesion
and
Thoughtf
support
the
thesis.
No
relevant
quotatio
ns from
the text
are used
to
support
the
argumen
t
Essay
does not
attempt
to
commun
icate
thoughts
about
though not
clearly
At least
one
paragraph
does not
include
relevant
quotations
from the
text to
support
the
argument
and/or
does not
include
any
explanatio
n as to
how the
quote
supports
the
argument.
Essay
attempts
to
communic
ate
thoughts
about the
text and
Most of the
paragraphs
include
relevant
quotations
from the
text to
support
the
argument
and
includes an
explanatio
n as to
how the
quote
supports
the
argument
Each
paragraph
includes
relevant
quotations
from the
text to
support
the
argument
and clearly
explains
how the
quote
supports
the
argument.
Overall,
the essay
communic
ates
thoughts
about the
text and
how a
Overall,
the essay
clearly
communic
ates
thoughts
about the
text and
ulness
the text
concerni
ng a
specific
characte
rs
develop
ment
througho
ut the
text as
he or
she
loses
innocenc
e
/comes
of age.
Essay
does not
attempt
to
commun
icate
why
relevant
quotatio
ns are
significa
nt OR
does not
include
relevant
how a
specific
character
develops
throughout
the text as
he or she
loses
innocence/
comes of
age but
does not
do so
effectively
Essay
attempts
to
communic
ate why
relevant
quotations
are
significant
but fails to
do so
Essay is
choppy
and
sections
feel
unconnect
ed and do
not flow
specific
character
develops
throughout
the text as
he or she
loses
innocence/
comes of
age
Essay
shows why
relevant
quotations
are
significant
Essay
flows well
with
transitions
between
thoughts.
how a
specific
character
develops
throughout
the text as
he or she
loses
innocence/
comes of
age
Essay
shows
insight as
to how
relevant
quotations
are
significant
The whole
essay flows
smoothly
with
transitions
between
thoughts.
Grammar
and
Editing
quotatio
ns
Ideas
and/or
sections
are
unconne
cted and
the
essay as
a whole
does not
flow
well.
Essay
has
greater
than 10
gramma
r,
spelling,
and/or
punctuat
ion
mistakes
.
Verb
tenses
shift
regularly
througho
ut the
essay
well.
Essay has
between 510
grammar,
spelling,
and/or
punctuatio
n mistakes.
Verb tense
shifts
occasionall
y
throughout
essay
Few MLA
citation
guidelines
are
followed
Essay has
5 or fewer
grammar,
spelling,
and/or
punctuatio
n mistakes
Verb tense
may shift
once or
twice
within the
essay
Most MLA
citation
guidelines
are
followed
Essay has
less than 5
grammar,
spelling,
and/or
punctuatio
n mistakes.
No verb
tense
shifts occur
within the
essay
All MLA
citation
guidelines
are
followed.
No MLA
citation
guidelin
es are
followed