English 2

5

4

3

2

1

Thesis: Identifying a Theme

(RI.2, W.1a)

Your thesis eloquently determines a specific theme in YGB

Your thesis adequately determines a specific theme in YGB

Your thesis determines a topic of the story, but does not express the theme based on this topic.

Your thesis determines a topic of the story, but does not express the theme based on this topic.

Your thesis does not determine a topic or theme or the topic/theme is irrelevant to the story.

Thesis: Motif/Symbolism Use

(RI.2, W.1a)

Your thesis eloquently analyzes how the theme emerges and is shaped by the author’s use of motif/symbolism

Your thesis adequately analyzes how the theme emerges and is shaped by the author’s use of motif/symbolism

Your thesis does not accurately mention a motif/symbol specific to the poem, but may generally discuss the emergence of the theme

Your thesis does not mention the use of motif or symbol in a specific way.

Your thesis does not mention the use of motif or symbol.

Organization (W.1a)

Your paragraph eloquently creates an organization that establishes clear relationships among reasons and evidence

Your paragraph adequately creates an organization that establishes clear relationships among reasons and evidence

Your paragraph may not be logically organized or it may not establish clear relationships among reasons and evidence.

Your paragraph is not logically organized and does not establish clear relationships among reasons and evidence.

Your paragraph does not establish relationships among reasons and evidence.

Evidence (W.2b)

You eloquently develop your thesis with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient quotations and examples

You adequately develop your thesis with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient quotations and examples

You develop your thesis with well-chosen, relevant quotations and examples, but they may not be sufficient.

You include a quote that has not been carefully selected or appropriately shortened or appropriately incorporated.

You do not include any direct quotations.

Analysis (RI.2)

You precisely explain how the details both represent an example of a motif/symbol and how the theme is expressed through the use of this example

You adequately explain how the details both represent an example of a motif/symbol and how the theme is expressed through the use of this example

You may explain how the details represent an example of a motif/symbol OR how the theme is expressed through the use of this example

Your explanation paraphrases the example but does not show how the theme is expressed through the use of this example.

You offer little to no explanation of an example.