Macbeth - In-Class Essay NAME:

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Grade 4 3 2 1 0
Introduction Includes a clear, Includes a clear, Includes an Includes an Introduction
focused and engaging focused and introduction and introduction, but is not
introduction. Thesis engaging a thesis. Thesis thesis is missing. evident.
statement is evident, introduction. Thesis fails to mention Fails to mention
logical, and original. statement is blood, Macbeth, blood, Macbeth,
evident, but may be or the specific or specific
imprecise or claim of the claims in
unoriginal**. essay. introduction.
Conclusion Includes a clear, Includes a clear, Includes a Includes a Conclusion
focused conclusion focused conclusion conclusion that conclusion, but it is not
that both restates key that both restates restates some fails to evident.
points and offers a key points but fails key points and summarize or
suggestion for future to offer a fails to offer a suggest the
study/relevance of the suggestion for suggestion for paper’s future
topic to the reader. future future relevance.
study/relevance of study/relevance
the topic to the of the topic to
reader. the reader.
Support and Includes 2-3 specific Includes 1 specific Includes 1 Includes No specific
Elaboration paraphrased examples paraphrased specific paragraphs with support is
or quotes per example or quote paraphrased no examples or offered.
paragraph. Citation is per paragraph. example or quote quotes. Provides
formatted correctly. Citation is per paragraph. little support.
formatted correctly. Citation is not
formatted
correctly
Grammar, Very few (0-10) Few (11-20) surface Several (21-30) Significant (30+) Profound
Conventions, surface errors, avoids errors, avoids first surface errors. grammatical and and careless
Word Choice first and second and second person. Uses first and diction errors. grammatical
person, avoids “words Generally avoids second person. Relies on first errors (35+)
to lose” from writing “words to lose” Uses multiple and second
style sheet from writing style “words to lose” person and
sheet. from writing “words to lose”
style sheet.
Essay presents Essay presents Essay presents Essay presents Essay shows
Depth of excellent analysis of above average average analysis below average little
Analysis the effect of the blood analysis of the of the effect of analysis of the analysis of
motif, the primary effect of the blood the blood motif, effect of the the effect of
themes, and the plot motif, the primary the primary blood motif, the the blood
events of Macbeth. themes, and the plot themes, and the primary themes, motif, the
events of Macbeth plot events of and the plot primary
Macbeth events of themes, and
Macbeth the plot
events of
Macbeth

**A Weak, Unoriginal Thesis:

Blood is a recurrent motif in Macbeth.

 Macbeth In-Class Writing
The Blood-Stained Play
Critic Mark Van Doren claimed, “Never in a play has there been so much [blood], and
never has it been so sickening….We see, feel, and smell it on everything.” With Van
Doren’s quote in mind, discuss the role that the blood motif plays in Macbeth. How does
blood add to the play’s meaning and what different meanings might the motif have?

Be sure to:
 Include a thesis statement in your introduction that specifically refers to blood and Macbeth.
 Refer to specific lines in Macbeth. Line numbers should be formatted in the
following format: (Act.Scene.Line#) – For example (1.3.17).
 Arrive at a supported conclusion about the significance of the blood motif in the play.
 Edit for surface errors.

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