Name: _____________________________
Analytical Paper Rubric
Literary Analysis Exceeds the Standard
• Thesis statement is concise and
articulate and presents an original,
Thesis
complex, sophisticated argument.
• In addition to meeting the
criteria for a Meets essay, analysis
is more perceptive/original,
Thesis Development/ thorough, clear, and precise.
Analysis • Organization stems from an
articulate and logical progression
of ideas
• Argument is thoroughly
developed, cohesive and
successfully proven.
• Relevant and compelling
Selection and Analysis of evidence from the text represents
best choice to support and shed
Evidence light on argument.
• Conclusion is highly effective
Conclusion and shows evolution of position.
Grade for Literary Analysis: _________
Meets the Standard
• Thesis statement is clear and
focused, and presents a
thoughtful, comprehensive
argument.
• Analysis is thoughtful,
comprehensive, well-grounded
and not oversimplified.
• Organization stems from logical
progression of ideas.
• Argument is well developed and
complete.
• Relevant evidence from the
entire text (not just a portion) is
used to support the argument.
• Conclusion summarizes main
points and shows development of
thinking.
Partially Meets the
Standard
• Thesis statement is based on
plausible idea, but is wordy or
unclear.
• Analysis is plausible but
oversimplified and/or not well
grounded in the text.
• Organization stems from ideas,
but progression may lack a
logical order or become
generalized.
• Argument has some minor
flaws or missing pieces.
• Evidence selected is limited
and/or does not represent best
choice for supporting the
argument.
• Conclusion is present but lacks
focus, is underdeveloped and/or
changes direction
Does not Meet the
Standard
• Thesis statement is example-
based, unfounded or absent.
• Analysis is oversimplified, too
general or unsubstantiated.
• Organization stems from
examples, not ideas, and/or ideas
lack cohesion and therefore
argument is not proven.
• Argument changes direction, is
incomplete or inconsistent.
• Specific and direct evidence is
not used, or is inappropriate or
irrelevant.
• Conclusion is not present or
changes topic.

Writing Process Exceeds the Standard
• Introduction engages reader and
clearly sets up argument.
Introduction
• Each quote or reference is
Integration of Evidence introduced (“not dropped”)
• Student uses sophisticated use of
transitional devices personal style,
Style discernible voice and effective
wording, and a variety of sentence
structures.
• Each body paragraph begins with
clear, focused sub-thesis.
• Textual evidence is smoothly
integrated into each body
Organization paragraph.
• The essay is organized with clear
transitions between ideas.
Grade for Writing Process: __________
Meets the Standard
• Introduction effectively leads
into argument
• Each quote or reference is
introduced (“not dropped”)
• Student effectively uses
transitions, effective wording
and a variety of sentence
structures.
• Each body paragraph begins
with a sub-thesis.
• Textual evidence is integrated
into each body paragraph.
• The essay is organized.
Partially Meets the
Standard
• Introduction only suggests a
focus.
• Each quote or reference is not
consistently introduced
• Student has limited use of
transitions, effective wording,
and sentences lack a variety
(writing is choppy).
• Some body paragraphs lack
clear sub-theses.
• Textual evidence is used, but
not smoothly integrated into
each paragraph.
• The essay reflects need of
organization.
Does not Meet the
Standard
• Introduction fails to articulate
argument, is confusing or lacks
focus.
• Quotes are not introduced.
• Student uses no transitions, has
ineffective wording and
sentences are short and have no
variety in structure.
• Body Paragraphs do not begin
with sub-thesis.
• Textual evidence is misplaced
or not integrated properly into
paragraphs.
• The essay lacks any
organization.
 Standard English Exceeds the Standard
Conventions
• This paper contains only minor
errors relative to the length of the
piece according to Standard English
conventions.
• There are no errors in citation
usage, the Works Cited page, and
the format of the paper according to
the MLA.
• The paper demonstrates use of a
range of MLA in-text citation
methods in addition to “basic
citation."
Grade for Standard English Conventions: ______________
Grade Calculation
Literary Analysis (40%): _________
Writing Process (40%): _________
Standard English Conventions (20%): _________
Total Grade: _________
Meets the Standard
• This paper contains few errors
relative to the length of the piece
according to Standard English
conventions.
• The paper demonstrates the
correct use of in-text citation.
• The works cited and paper format
contain no errors according to
MLA format.
Partially Meets the
Standard
• This paper contains several
errors relative to the length of the
piece according to Standard
English conventions.
• This paper does not consistently
demonstrate the use of in-text
where necessary, and some
citations may not be in the correct
format according to the MLA.
• The works cited page contains
some errors according to MLA
format.
• The paper does not consistently
follow MLA format.
Does not Meet the
Standard
• This paper contains numerous
errors relative to the length of the
piece according to Standard
English conventions. There are
major sentence structure problems
and communication is hindered by
the errors.
• The paper does not demonstrate
the correct use of in-text citation
where necessary OR has
significant errors in the use of
MLA format.
• The works cited page also reveals
that the paper does not have
sufficient research to support its
claim; it relies too heavily on too
few sources or one type of source.