| Criteria | 5 Points | 4.5 Points | 3.2 Points | 3 Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topic Sentence | Clear and concise topic sentence that restates the prompt and fully answers the question. | Topic sentence restates the prompt and answers the question but may lack clarity. | Topic sentence attempts to restate the prompt but partially answers the question. | Topic sentence is unclear or does not restate the prompt or answer the question. |
| Story Summary | Provides a thorough and accurate summary of the storyline. | Provides an accurate summary of the storyline but may lack some detail. | Provides a partial summary of the storyline with several details missing. | Provides an inaccurate or minimal summary of the storyline. |
| Key Terms | Defines all key terms clearly and accurately, especially academic terms. | Defines most key terms clearly and accurately. | Defines some key terms but lacks clarity or accuracy. | Fails to define key terms or definitions are unclear and inaccurate. |
| Analysis Focus | Thoroughly explains how the focus of the analysis appears in the story from only one angle. | Explains how the focus of the analysis appears in the story but lacks depth. | Partially explains how the focus of the analysis appears in the story. | Fails to explain how the focus of the analysis appears in the story. |
| Evidence | Provides at least two strong pieces of evidence that clearly support the analysis. | Provides two pieces of evidence that support the analysis but may lack strength. | Provides one piece of evidence or two weak pieces that partially support the analysis. | Provides little to no evidence to support the analysis. |
| Evidence Connection | Clearly explains how all evidence is directly related to the topic sentence. | Explains how most evidence is related to the topic sentence. | Attempts to explain how evidence is related to the topic sentence but lacks clarity. | Fails to explain how evidence is related to the topic sentence. |
| Conclusion | Writes a mindful conclusion that addresses the overall meaning of the analysis. | Writes a conclusion that addresses the overall meaning but lacks depth. | Writes a conclusion that partially addresses the overall meaning. | Fails to write a conclusion or the conclusion does not address the overall meaning. |
| Language and Mechanics | Uses language, spelling, grammar, and sentence structure at or above 8th grade level. | Uses language, spelling, grammar, and sentence structure mostly at 8th grade level. | Uses language, spelling, grammar, and sentence structure below 8th grade level. | Uses language, spelling, grammar, and sentence structure well below 8th grade level. |
| Vocabulary | Uses vocabulary at or above 8th grade level throughout the response. | Uses vocabulary mostly at 8th grade level. | Uses vocabulary below 8th grade level. | Uses vocabulary well below 8th grade level. |
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