Advanced (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2) Approaching (1)

Main Writer includes a Writer includes a main Writer includes a main Writer does not include
claim/argument: strong main claim/argument in the claim/argument, and a clear main
claim/argument in the form of a thesis vaguely explains why claim/argument, and
form of a thesis statement, and the significance of that there is no relation to
statement, and explains the argument and why it is larger ideas within the
explains thoroughly significance of that important to an novel or unit essential
the significance of that argument and why it is understanding of the questions.
argument and why it important for the novel.
is important for the understanding of the
understanding of the novel and unit
novel and unit essential questions.
essential questions.

Close Reading Writer includes a Writer includes a Writer includes limited Writer includes little to
Skills: strong and thorough proficient analysis of analysis of formal no analysis of formal
analysis of formal formal elements elements (literary elements (literary
elements (literary (literary devices) devices) within the devices) within the
devices) within the within the passage of passage of text passage of text selected.
passage of text text selected such as selected. Writer does Writer does not clearly
selected such as style, style, narrative not clearly analyze relate evidence to
narrative perspective, perspective, sentence how these elements ideas/themes within
sentence rhythm, rhythm, metaphor, create and develop the larger text.
metaphor, imagery, imagery, character ideas/themes within
character development, form, the larger text.
development, form, etc. Writer includes a
etc. Writer includes an proficient analysis of
advanced analysis of how these elements
how these elements create and develop
create and develop ideas/themes within
ideas/themes within the larger text.
the larger text.

Organization: Writer organizes the Writer organizes the Writer organizes the Writer organizes the
paper so that each paper so that most paper in a way that is paper in a way that is
paragraph clearly paragraphs connect to unclear how some unclear how each
connects to the main the main paragraphs connect to paragraph connects to
claim/argument. Each claim/argument. Each the main the main
paragraph focuses on paragraph focuses on claim/argument. claim/argument.
one idea that is one idea that is Writer includes Paragraphs do not
thoroughly developed, developed, including paragraphs that do not clearly focus on one
including effective some transitions clearly focus on one specific, developed
and clear transition among main ideas. specific, developed idea.
among main ideas. idea.

Clarity in Writer includes clear Writer includes mostly Writer includes some Writer lacks sentences
communication: sentences that directly clear sentences that sentences that directly that directly and clearly
and clearly directly communicate communicate ideas, communicate ideas.
communicate ideas. ideas. There are limited but writing lacks There are numerous
There are no grammatical, spelling, clarity. There are grammatical, spelling,
grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors
or punctuation errors that hinder the or punctuation errors that hinder the
that hinder the understanding of the that hinder the understanding of the
understanding of the reader. understanding of the reader.
reader. reader.