Rubric Basics

Focus

• Pictures of ducks

Focus

Addresses all aspects of prompt appropriately maintains a strongly developed focus.

Look for:*Thesis statement gives a basic answer to the question in the prompt. (3 elements in the 3 stories that address a specific, common theme).*Every part of the paper is supporting some part of the thesis.

Controlling Idea

• Establishes a strong controlling idea with a clear purpose maintained throughout the response.

• Look fors:*Has a strong thesis statement*Each paragraph begins with a topic sentence that connects to the thesis. (mentions a specific element and connects it to the theme.*Each example and each piece of commentary supports the thesis in some way. (example of a literary element and how it supports the common theme).

Reading/ Research

• Accurately presents information relevant to all parts of the prompt with effective selection of sources and details from reading materials.

• Look for:• Each example helps answer the prompt. (evidence of literary

elements that develop a common theme).• Each example is accurate (it actually is the literary element

you say it is.)• There is enough textual evidence to strongly support your

point.{ 2 to 4 pieces (direct or indirect quotes) per paragraph}

Development

• Presents thorough and detailed information to strongly support the focus and controlling idea.

• Look fors:• Each example is followed by enough

commentary to explain how that example helps answer the thesis. (1-2 sentences of commentary after every example).

Conventions

• Demonstrates and maintains a well-developed command of standard English conventions and cohesion, with few errors. Response includes language and tone consistently appropriate to the audience, purpose, and specific requirements of the prompt. Consistently cites sources using an appropriate format.

Conventions

• Demonstrates and maintains a well-developed command of standard English conventions and cohesion, with few errors.

• Look for:• No capitalization errors.• No fragmented sentences.• No run-on sentences.• Commas, semi colons, and colons are used correctly.• Quotes are properly embedded.• No spelling errors.

Conventions

• Consistently cites sources using an appropriate format.

• Look for:• Uses in-text citations (Collins 11) after every

piece of textual evidence or info from an outside source.

• Includes a bibliography page that follows the MLA format.

Content Understanding

• Integrates relevant and accurate disciplinary content with thorough explanations that demonstrate in-depth understanding.

• Look for:• Examples are accurate (literary elements are

correctly identified in each example).• Your explanations show that you really get how

the examples show your theme.