Literary Analysis (Staple this page to the front of your essay)

Student Name: _________________________

Paper 2: Literary Analysis (Adapted from page 188 of Deans)

Due Date: Check syllabus

Length: 750-1000 words, minimum

Value: 15% of your final grade

Description: Write an essay about Angela’s Ashes. The essay should build on the strategies for reading literature outlined below (starting on page 188 of Deans) and employ the rhetorical strategies for writing about literature and culture detailed later in the chapter. A range of potential topics can be developed by thinking about the topics of in-class discussion such as the following: narrative point of view, narrative style and irony, hardship and individual responsibility. If you would like to discuss potential topics, make an appointment to meet with me in person and have some possible topics in mind.

Sources: None are required beyond Angela’s Ashes. All sources should be formatted in MLA style.

Writing Skills Evaluation	Excellent		Average	Weak
	High	Low		High	Low
Quality of Thought	5	4	3	2	1
Recognition/examination of complex ideas Credible and logical support Thesis	Thesis is clearly stated and is argumentative. Unified and strong control of content. Opinions and claims are well-supported. Ample evidence. Logic is maintained. Paper is ambitious and insightful. Original ideas are presented, not repetitions of class discussion.		Thesis is vague or not clearly argumentative. Generally unified. Ideas are balanced. Opinions and claims are adequately supported and usually logical. Paper is ambitious but quality is inconsistent. Ideas are repetitions of class discussion.	Thesis is hard to find. Little evidence of control of ideas. Ideas are not supported, or support is clichéd or illogical. Paper is not ambitious or insightful. Ideas are largely obvious to any reader or are a repetition of what was said in class.
Clarity of Purpose	5	4	3	2	1
Clear purpose Audience awareness	Positions are insightful and clear. Thesis is focused; intent is obvious. Clear sense of audience.		Positions are sound and understandable. Thesis is general; intent is evident. Somewhat aware of audience.	Lacks position on topics. Thesis may be absent or intent is unclear. Superficial. Little to no recognition of audience.
Organization of Content	5	4	3	2	1
Arrangement Unity Coherence	Ideas are well connected through structural and linguistic transitions. Structure complements and completes content.		Some evidence of structural and linguistic transitions. Structure is generally adequate for the content.	Overall unity and coherence are flawed. Parts are poorly connected, and there is little evidence of planning or organization.
Language and Style/Voice	5	4	3	2	1
Vocabulary Register Tone	Exhibits confident, skillful use of language. Uses a varied, accurate, and appropriate vocabulary. Sentences are purposefully designed and matched to content.		Exhibits adequate but inconsistent facility in the use of language. Uses generally appropriate vocabulary and varied sentences.	Displays little facility in the use of language. Uses limited vocabulary or inappropriate word choice. Sentences are basic. Paper may be repetitive or wordy.
Mechanics	5	4	3	2	1
Grammar and usage Punctuation Spelling	Grammatical structures are well-chosen. No errors detract from meaning.		Grammatical structures carry the meaning forward, although readers notice occasional error(s).	Grammar errors are so obtrusive that readers are seriously distracted by them.
Research / Citations	5	4	3	2	1
MLA formatting Number of citations Evidence from the text	Clear attribution and accurate documentation. In-text citations and works cited page are correct. Proper use of signal phrases. Uses multiple examples from the text.		Some evidence of citations in text and on works cited page. Inconsistent use of MLA formatting. Uses a few examples from the text.	Little or no use of signal phrases. Significant errors in formatting in-text and works cited page citations. Uses two or three examples from the text.

Essays plagiarized or not written on the essay assignment will receive a score of zero.

TOTAL SCORE:

COMMENTS: