+indicates that your essay was exemplary in this area and
exceeded assignment expectations

indicates that your essay met assignment expectations
in this area
- indicates that you should write down this skill as a goal
area for improvement when you write your next paper

Name: Period:

Assignment: Date:

____ Ideas and Content

Strong thesis

Holds reader’s attention

Relevant anecdotes; details enrich central theme

____Organization

Enhances and showcases thesis

Is compelling and moves reader through the text

Text support (quote blending) is smooth

____ Voice

Speaks directly to reader; is individual, compelling, and engaging

Awareness of and respect for the audience and purpose of the writing

____ Word Choice

Words convey the intended message

Words are precise, interesting, and natural; also powerful and engaging

____Sentence Fluency

Sentences have an easy flow, rhythm, and cadence

Sentences are well built, with strong, varied structure

____ Conventions

Shows a good grasp of standard writing conventions (e.g., spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, usage, paragraphing)

Uses conventions effectively to enhance readability.

Errors tend to be few; minor touch-ups needed.

Sophomore Literature Realism/Naturalism Essay Name______

Explore the qualities of realism and naturalism in the stories “Two Friends” and “The Overcoat”.

Include three of the five syntactical techniques: parallelism, chiasmus, antithesis, climax, or expletive.

Standards / Criteria
Areas ofAssessment / A / B / C / D
Format / __includes typed final, prewrite or outline, marked draft, & Works Cited in prescribed format / __includes typed final, prewrite or outline, marked draft, & Works Cited - some (minor) errors in prescribed format / __includes typed final, prewrite/ outline, draft, & Works Cited, but insufficient editing of draft; several errors in prescribed format / __ missing prewrite/outline, draft or Works Cited; insufficient editing of draft or outline; numerous errors in format
Understanding of literature/ texts / __ writing shows unusual insight understanding / __writing shows strong, clear understanding / __writing shows adequate understanding but may be too general or superficial / __writing shows little or no understanding of text
Idea Development / __ presents fresh thesis in an original manner while displaying unusual insight / __ presents an effective thesis and development using a consistent, careful manner incorporating examples / __ presents a clearly defined thesis, but the development is too general or may not be marked by independent thought / __ poorly defined or inconsistent development of thesis that displays little insight
Text Support / __more than adequate/correct MLA format; smooth embedding / __adequate/some errors in MLA format; generally smooth embedding / __inadequate/several errors inMLA format; some faulty embedding / __inadequate/numerous errors inMLA format; ineffective embedding
Organizational Pattern / __ strong, interesting; clear beg/middle/end; strong thesis that is marked on draft / __ organized; clear beg/middle/end; clear thesis that is marked on draft / __ somewhat organized; attempt at beg/middle/end; thesis is weak or unclear - not marked on draft / __ no attempt at organization; lacks clear beg/middle/ end; thesis lacking or inappropriate - not marked on draft
Word Choice / _ fresh/vigorous; contributes to "voice"
__ very limited use of 1st and 2nd person & "to be" verbs / __vivid/interesting; attempt to establish "voice"
__ limited use of 1st and 2nd person & "to be" verbs / __ appropriate but not specific or vivid; weak "voice"
__ weak attempt to limit use of 1st and 2nd person & "to be" verbs / __ simple/vague; appears tolack "voice"
_excessive use of 1st and 2nd person & "to be" verbs
Sentence Structure / __ correct/varied / __ correct, but lacks variety / __ sometimes incorrect & lacks variety / __ frequent errors & lacks variety
Transitional Devices / __smooth & effective; marked on draft / __ somewhat smooth & generally effective; most marked on draft / __ many not smooth & some errors in usage; many not marked on draft / __ not used &/or frequent errors in usage; many not marked on draft
Language Mechanics / __ very few (if any) errors; very well proofread / __ few errors; generally well proofread / __ several errors; requires additional proofreading / __ numerous errors; appears not to have been proofread

CREATIVE WRITING NATURALIST STORY

Create ideas for your own naturalist story

Characters and their basic description

Protagonist(s)

Antagonist(s)

Plot possibility: