Rubric for Analysis Paper

Independent Reading Analysis Essay Rubric

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Thesis Statement	Paper does not appear to have an identifiable thesis	Thesis may be hard to locate.  Writer frequently strays from thesis	Paper has an identifiable thesis but it may be hard to locate or too narrow or too broad. Writer may stray from thesis at times	Thesis controls the entire paper and is specific enough to limit the paper appropriately .
Evidence	Writer fails to support her points with references to the text.	Writer provides some evidence from the text, but not enough to support her points. Or she fails to provide necessary commentary to link evidence to her points.	Writer provides evidence from the text, but it may not be sufficient to prove her points.  Or writer relies too much on the text and fails to provide sufficient commentary.	Thesis is adequately supported with evidence from the book. Paper contains a balance of commentary and concrete detail.
Organization	Paper is disorganized and unclear. Transitions are nonexistent. Introduction is misleading or absent.	Arguments may be scattered throughout the paper without appropriate grouping in paragraphs.  Introductory paragraph may be misleading.	For the most part, arguments are presented logically and transitions are appropriate.  There may be some confusion.	Arguments are presented logically. Introduction leads reader comfortably into the thesis. Writer provides appropriate transitions.
Conventions	Paper has enough grammar, punctuation and spelling errors to interfere with understanding.  Missing draft and peer review.	Paper has numerous grammar, punctuation, spelling errors but meaning is intact.  May be missing 1st draft and/or peer review.	Paper may have some grammar, punctuation and spelling errors.  May be missing 1st draft and peer review.	Paper is carefully proofread for grammar, punctuation and spelling.  Paper includes 1st draft and peer review.
Analysis	Writer fails to analyze the text and merely summarizes.	Writer may begin to analyze and drift into summary.  Emphasis is on summary.	Paper shows evidence of analysis, but connections may not be strong or clear enough.	Writer applies critical reading skills to adequately “break down” the text.  Focus is on “how,” not “what” of writing.