Analysis Essay Assignment Sheet.

Criteria

Excellent—4.0-3.5

High—3.4-2.5

Average—2.4-1.9

Minimum—1.8-0

Analysis

Provides substantial, specific evidence from source. Thoroughly analyzes material from source by answering the "so what?" question for every piece of evidence that she provides. All claims are specific, arguable and supported by evidence from the source. Explores the ideas presented in full.

Provides significant evidence from text, but more detailed evidence is needed. Analyzes the evidence, answering the "so what?" question for most pieces of evidence that she provides. Most claims are specific, arguable and supported by evidence from the source texts Explores most of the ideas presented, but some of the ideas remain underdeveloped.

Provides some evidence, but evidence needs to be more specific or presented more clearly. Begins to analyze the source by answering the "so what?" question for some pieces of evidence, but some significant evidence remains unanalyzed. Some claims are specific, arguable and supported by evidence, but others remain unsupported. Many ideas remain underdeveloped.

Provides insufficient evidence. The source material is not adequately analyzed; the text fails to answer the "so what?" question for crucial pieces of evidence. Most of the claims are not specific, arguable or supported by evidence. The essay does not adequately develop the ideas presented.

Thesis and Topic Sentences

The thesis statement and topic sentences are specific and arguable, and answer the question, “So what?” The essay is driven by and organized around a strong thesis.

Most versions of the thesis statement and topic sentences are specific and arguable, but they are unclear or under-developed in a few places.

The thesis and topic sentences are specific and arguable at some points but unclear at other, or they represent a statement of fact rather than an argument.

The thesis and topic sentences are difficult to identify throughout the paper. The thesis fails to answer the question, “So what?” Topic sentences are misleading or unclear.

Organization

Ideas are organized in a clear and logical fashion in relationship to each other (local, within paragraphs) and to the thesis (the paper as a whole). Includes a vivid, engaging, and informative introduction and an inventive and thorough conclusion.

Ideas are organized in a clear and logical fashion in relationship to each other (local, within paragraphs) and to the thesis (the paper as a whole). Includes an informative, appropriate introduction and a thorough conclusion.

Although ideas are generally organized in a logical fashion, some sentences or paragraphs are unorganized or unrelated to the thesis or paragraph. Transitions are often lacking, leaving the reader lost. Includes an adequate intro. and/or conclusion.

Discernible organization is minimal or nonexistent.

Underdeveloped or missing introduction and/or conclusion. Minimal or no transitions between paragraphs.

Style and Mechanics

Ideas are expressed in clear, engaging prose. The writer uses specific and vivid language. The sentence lengths and types vary, and word choice is appropriate throughout. Demonstrates attention to audience and purpose. No grammatical, proofreading, or mechanical errors.

Most of the ideas are expressed in clear, readable prose, but a few sentences are awkward or difficult to understand. The writer uses a variety of sentence types, but some sentences could be more effective. Most word choice is appropriate. Demonstrates attention to audience and purpose. Infrequent grammatical, proofreading, or mechanics errors. (Errors do not disrupt the flow or clarity of the text.) .

Some of the ideas are expressed in clear, readable prose, but there are many sentences that are awkward or difficult to understand. Uses the same sentence type throughout. The relationship to audience or purpose is sometimes unclear. There are some strong sentences, but there are more than 2-4 sentence structure problems. Grammatical, proofreading, and mechanical errors sometimes impede flow or clarity.

Most of the prose is difficult to read. Does not demonstrate an understanding of audience and purpose. Frequent sentence structure problems. Sentence level, grammatical, and mechanics problems seriously impede the clarity of the text.

Quotations and citations

The paper incorporates substantial ideas and quotations from text. All quotations from the text are cited correctly. Quotations are incorporated seamlessly into the text of the essay.

The paper incorporates some ideas or quotations but the quotes could be used more fully. Most quotations from are cited correctly. Quotations are incorporated correctly into the text, but some transitions are awkward or unclear.

The paper incorporates at least one quotation or idea, but more citations/references are needed. Quotations are cited, but some citations are incorrect. At times the relationship between the quotation and the rest of the essay is unclear.

The paper does not include quotations. Some quotations are not cited, and they are not well-integrated into the text.