Literary Analysis

Areas of Assessment

Focus

Quality of analysis

· The thesis offers a unique and critical interpretation of the text.

· The essay goes beyond summary and description.

Support

Quality of evidence/support

· The essay offers extensive support for its claim.

· If outside sources are used, they are academic and credible (no Wikipedia or similar sources).

Integration of support

· Quotes are introduced clearly and appropriately.

· The essay uses both direct quotes and paraphrases.

· All material from the text is cited.

· Outside sources are clearly marked in the text through both introductions and citations.

· Each piece of evidence (quotes and paraphrases) is explained. The paper offers commentary and shows how the support connects back to the thesis.

Organization

Quality of structure

· The essay begins with a clear introduction that catches the readers’ attention, provides some background, and ends with a clear claim (thesis).

· Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence that summarizes its claim.

· Each body paragraph focuses on one distinct idea or subpoint of the thesis.

· The body paragraphs fall in a logical order.

· The essay ends with a conclusion that does more than repeat the main points of the essay.

Grammar, Mechanics, & Style

Correctness of writing

· There are very few grammar errors, and they do not distract from the overall clarity of the writing.

· There are no typos or formatting errors.

Style

· Sentence structure is varied and complex.

· The writer adopts a voice of authority.

· The writer uses academic vocabulary.

Formatting

MLA Format

· The essay is properly formatted according to MLA standards.

· Citations are technically correct.