Rubric for Outline
AP Literature and Composition
An exceptional outline:
Thesis: well-written, demonstrating strong
insight into the topic
Organized and well-developed (x2)
Organized and well-developed (x2)
Formal outline structure is used
Headings and sub-headings clearly support
and relate to the thesis
Supporting details clearly support and
relate to their headings and/or sub-
headings
Thoroughly and impressively analyzes the
work in the light of the literary theory
chosen
One primary source and more than three
legitimate secondary sources are cited
Works Cited consistently uses MLA
formatting
Contains virtually no errors in grammar,
spelling, or punctuation, and is properly
formatted
TOTAL
A B C D F An unsatisfactory outline:
Thesis is poorly worded, unclear, unfocused, and
generally insufficient to control a college-level research
paper
Incomplete or poorly organized (x2)
Incomplete or poorly organized (x2)
Formal outline structure is not used
Headings and sub-headings do not clearly support and
relate to the thesis
Supporting details do not clearly support and relate to
their headings and/or sub-headings
Fails to analyze the work in the light of the literary
theory chosen
No primary source and/or less than three legitimate
secondary sources are cited
Works Cited does not use consistent MLA formatting
The outline is riddled with errors in grammar, spelling,
punctuation, and formatting