California State Seventh Grade Writing Standards Rubric:

Response to Literature

200 Possible Points

I. Introduction

-A HOOK grabs the reader’s attention, then links itself to the subject, author, and title of the story, play, or poem.                                             ____/5

-A PREVIEW briefly touches on each of the three main points that will support the essay’s main argument about this story, play, or poem.   ____/10

-A THESIS STATEMENT authoritatively states an interpretation of the story, play, or poem’s overall theme, or significance. (Writing Applications Standards 2.4 a, b, and c).                                                                                                                                                                             ____/10         

II. First Body Paragraph

-A TOPIC SENTENCE clearly states the first reason in support of the thesis statement, usually something related to how the theme develops in the beginning of the section being analyzed.                                                                                                                                                        ____/10

-At least two (2) pieces of EVIDENCE in the form of short summaries and quotes taken directly from the text (with their page numbers cited in parentheses) support this topic sentence.                                                                                                                                              ____/15

-Each piece of evidence is ANALYZED, or explained to the reader as it relates to the topic sentence and, overall, the theme of the work.          

____/15

III. Second Body Paragraph

-A TOPIC SENTENCE clearly states the first reason in support of the thesis statement, usually something related to how the theme develops in the beginning of the section being analyzed.                                                                                                                                                        ____/10

-At least two (2) pieces of EVIDENCE in the form of short summaries and quotes taken directly from the text (with their page numbers cited in parentheses) support this topic sentence.                                                                                                                                             ____/15

-Each piece of evidence is ANALYZED, or explained to the reader as it relates to the topic sentence and, overall, the theme of the work.        

____/15

IV. Third Body Paragraph

-A TOPIC SENTENCE clearly states the first reason in support of the thesis statement, usually something related to how the theme develops in the beginning of the section being analyzed.                                                                                                                                                        ____/10

-At least two (2) pieces of EVIDENCE in the form of short summaries and quotes taken directly from the text (with their page numbers cited in parentheses) support this topic sentence.                                                                                                                                             ____/15

-Each piece of evidence is ANALYZED, or explained to the reader as it relates to the topic sentence and, overall, the theme of the work.        

____/15

V. Conclusion

-The THESIS is RESTATED, and perhaps deepened, broadened, or otherwise made more clear, given the information in the paragraphs preceding this restatement.                                                                                                                                                                                    ____/5

-The main points of the essay are briefly REVIEWED.                                                                                                                          ____/5

-A PARTING THOUGHT related to the significance, beauty, and/or value of the work is included, to spark further interest or thought in the reader.                                                                                                                                                                                                              ____/5

MECHANICS

-Effectively uses Cue Words from the class list provided.                                                                                                                        ____/10

-Contains few, if any, errors in the conventions of the English language: grammar, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and uses varied sentence types.

                                                                                                                                                                                                             ____/10

-Addresses at least two major literary devices and/or techniques used by the writer that relate to this essay’s thesis statement (characterization, foreshadowing, symbolism, metaphor, simile; Literary Analysis Standards).

                                                                                                                                                                                                             ____/20

-Essay has been typed using word-processing skills and publishing programs according to the MLA standards gone over together in the computer lab (Times New Roman 12 font, 1.5 spacing, title centered, text left justified; Writing Strategies Standard 1.6).                                                              

____/20

TOTAL SCORE          _______/200

Letter Grade and California State Board of Education

Seventh Grade Writing Test Equivalents

A: 180-200 = Score 4

B: 160-179 = Score 3

C: 140-159 = Score 2

D: 120-139 = Score 1

Less than 119 = Score 0