| Criteria | 5 Points | 4.5 Points | 4.2 Points | 3.5 Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topic Sentence | Clearly restates the prompt and directly answers the question with insight. | Restates the prompt and answers the question. | Attempts to restate the prompt but lacks clarity or completeness. | Does not restate the prompt or answer the question. |
| Definition of Literary Suspense | Provides a clear and accurate definition of literary suspense. | Provides a definition of literary suspense, but lacks clarity or detail. | Attempts to define literary suspense, but is inaccurate or unclear. | Does not define literary suspense. |
| Summation of the Story | Includes a concise and relevant summation of the story. | Includes a summation of the story, but may lack relevance or detail. | Attempts to summarize the story, but is incomplete or unclear. | Does not include a summation of the story. |
| Explanation of Literary Suspense | Thoroughly explains how literary suspense is used in the story. | Explains how literary suspense is used, but lacks depth or detail. | Attempts to explain the use of literary suspense, but is unclear or incomplete. | Does not explain how literary suspense is used. |
| Evidence | Uses strong and relevant evidence to support the use of literary suspense. | Uses evidence to support the use of literary suspense, but may lack relevance or strength. | Attempts to use evidence, but it is weak or irrelevant. | Does not use evidence to support the use of literary suspense. |
| Explanations | Effectively ties evidence to the topic sentence with clear explanations. | Ties evidence to the topic sentence, but explanations may lack clarity. | Attempts to tie evidence to the topic sentence, but explanations are unclear or incomplete. | Does not tie evidence to the topic sentence. |
| Conclusion | Includes a strong conclusion that discusses the overall impact of literary suspense on the story and character. | Includes a conclusion that discusses the impact of literary suspense, but lacks depth. | Attempts a conclusion, but it is unclear or incomplete. | Does not include a conclusion. |
| Language and Mechanics | Uses language, spelling, grammar, and sentence structure at or above 8th grade level. | Uses language, spelling, and sentences structure mostly at 8th grade level. | Uses language, spelling, and sentences structure below 8th grade level. | Uses language, spelling, and sentences 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. |