Through the Tunnel - Expectations and Rubric

Prompt: On a scale of 1-10, rate Jerrys mom. Write a well-evidenced essay arguing why she should be
seen as a good or bad parent. Include textual evidence from the short story and from at least one article.
Expectations Checklist:

Essay is MLA formatted

12 pt font, Times New Roman
Double spaced
Margins are 1
Name, period, Ms. King, due date are in top LEFT corner (NOT a header)
Each paragraph is indented with Tab button
Essay is creatively titled. Title is centered, 12 pt font
Introduction paragraph
Short story is introduced entirely (title, author, basic plot and conflict)
Thesis statement is clear
Body paragraphs
Topic sentence is clear (and relationship to thesis is clear) and authentic
Evidence is used appropriately
Evidence is clearly analyzed - Think: How does this quote prove my point
Transition or linking words used
Conclusion
Thesis is restated in new words
Last comments are given about Jerrys situation and his mom
Counterargument is made and explained
Un-hook used - end with a bang, not a fizzle
Self-Chosen article is appropriately introduced in intro or body paragraph
Title, author, brief synopsis
No 1st person terms
Academic, formal language is used
5+ quotes are embedded and analyzed and correctly cited
Context (plot / who said what) is given and grammatically linked
Quotes from Through the Tunnel
Quote(s) from your article
Citation is correct and punctuation is perfect
Grammar, punctuation, and spelling are amazing
On Monday, 2/22/16:
1. You will turn in your final draft - please PRINT it out. I will only print for you if you dont own a
printer or yours is broken
2. Attach this paper with the rubric and above checklist (the checklist must be filled out
appropriately)
3. Grade yourself - what percentage or score do you deserve (not based on effort)

RUBRIC:
6 - Above standards

5 - Meets standards

4- Near standards

3- Below standards

Focus

~ Intro has
interesting hook,
context of story and
topic
~Essay has thesis
that takes a clear
position/ supports it
consistently with 2+
logical reasons

~Intro has hook,

story context, topic
intro
~ Thesis is clear and
supported with 2
reasons

~ Intro has basic hook

~ Missing pieces or
awkwardly worded
story context
~ Thesis is present
but unclear / vague

~ No hook
~ Thesis is vague or
missing
~ No context of story
or missing a lot of
info

Evidence

~ 5+ quotes are
embedded and
analyzed effectively
~ Correct citations/
formatting

~ 4-5 quotes are

embedded and
analyzed
~ Citations are mostly
correct

~3-4 quotes are

embedded/analyzed
or 5 quotes badly
embedded
~ Citations have
frequent errors

~ Quotes are not

embedded
~ Citations are
incorrect
~ Missing article or
story quotes

Organization

~ Body paragraphs
have clear focus,
topic sentence, logic,
and use transition
words
~ Article is
introduced and
effectively used
~ Ideas are easy to
follow, connections
made clearly

~ Body paragraphs
have clear topic
sentences, mostly
organized
~ Article is wellintroduced and
relevant
~ Ideas are clear and
easy to follow

~ Body paragraphs
have unclear topic
sentences
~ Article is used but
not introduced
correctly
~ Ideas arent
organized clearly

~ Missing or vague
topic sentence
~Article isnt
introduced or used
well
~ Leaves reader with
confusion

Argument

~ Point is
consistently argued
~ Claim is restated in
conclusion
~ Counterargument
is strong and clearly
addressed

~Point is consistently
argued
~Claim is restated in
conclusion
~Unhook is strong

~ Point isnt
consistent or clear
throughout
~Claim restated in
same words in conc
~ No unhook or very
weak

~Point is confusing
or inconsistent
~Claim not restated
in conclusion

Grammar/
Language

~ 0-4 errors total

~Language is formal
and academic
~ Sentences are
varied

~ 5-6 errors total

~ Language is mostly
formal
~ Sentences are clear

~ 7-8 errors total

~ Language is casual
or bland
~ Confusing syntax

~ 9 + errors total
~ Informal language
~ Confusing syntax

MLA
Formatting

Double spaced, 12 pt
font, 3rd person,
header, indented
paragraphs, 1
margins

1-2 errors in
formatting

3-4 errors in
formatting

5+ errors in
formatting

My Grade: ___________

Ms. Kings Grade ____________