CATEGORY A Introduction The introduction fully discusses the essay to be analyzed and leads gracefully in to the thesis statement.

B The introduction discusses the essay to be analyzed and states the thesis without leading in to it.

C The introduction mentions the essay to be analyzed but doesn't discuss it, and it states the thesis without leading in to it.

D The introduction does not mention the essay to be analyzed and generally does not make it clear that the paper will be an analysis. The thesis statement does not take a position.

Thesis Statement

The thesis statement takes a solid position on the essay to be analyzed and avoids vague terms. Includes evidence and examples from the original essay for every point made. Quotations are used at proper times and in proper amounts. All of the evidence and examples are specific and relevant. Explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position.

The thesis statement takes a position on the essay to be analyzed.

The thesis statement takes a position on the essay to be analyzed but uses weak or vague terms. Includes evidence and examples from the original essay for few of the points made. Quotations are not used at proper times and in proper amounts. Few of the evidence and examples are specific and relevant. Explanations are rarely given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position.

Presence of Evidence and Examples

Includes evidence and examples from the original essay for most points made. On the whole, quotations are used at proper times and in proper amounts. Most of the evidence and examples are specific and relevant. Explanations are often given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position.

Little to no evidence or examples provided.

Quality of Evidence and Examples

Evidence and examples are NOT specific and relevant AND/OR are not explained.

Conclusion

The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader solidly understanding the writer's position. Effective restatement of the thesis statement begins the closing paragraph. Author makes no errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or typing that distract the reader from the content.

The conclusion is recognizable. The author's thesis is restated early in the closing paragraph.

The author's position is not effectively restated within the closing paragraph. The conclusion is weak or underdeveloped.

There is no conclusion the paper just ends.

Grammar & Spelling

Author makes a couple of errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or typing that distract the reader from the content.

Author makes several errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or typing that distract the reader from the content.

Author makes many errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or typing so that the paper is barely legible.