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UNITY, FOCUS, AND ORGANIZATION
____Underline thesis and topic sentences
____No thesis statement in introductory paragraph or thesis
statement not focused on character traits.
____No plot summary in introductory paragraph to establish context.
____Topic sentence focus not on character traits.
____Sentences not focused on character traits or topic sentence.
____Use subordination to ensure independent clause focus is on
traits and that plot details, quotations, etc. appear in de-
pendent elements. Avoid summary in independent clauses.
____Faulty organization. Ensure that each paragraph covers different ground. Ensure that matters discussed in the same paragraph logically belong together.
DEVELOPMENT
____Not enough specific evidence. Use examples, details, and direct quotations as specific evidence with which to develop your topic sentences.
____Not enough analysis and explanation. Explain clearly how the evidence reveals a character trait. Make reader see what you mean.
____ Identify characters, situations, contexts, etc. with which the reader may be unfamiliar. Don’t assume he’s read the work or already understands the point you are trying to make. Don’t expect reader to read your mind.
STYLE AND MECHANICS
____MLA format not followed. Use correct heading. Double-space. Include page numbers. Follow correct Works cited form. (-10)
____No Works Cited page. (-10)
____No quotations (-10)
____Choppy or stringy sentences. Combine related sentences by subordination.
____Vary beginnings of sentences.
____Vary sentence patterns. Vary phrasing of same or similar ideas.
____Establish transitions between paragraphs and between sentences
____Wordiness. Make statements more concise. Eliminate unnecessary words by choosing diction more carefully and by combining related sentences. Avoid passive voice; use strong, active verbs.
____Tense. Write about literature in present tenses. Do not shift tenses unnecessarily.
____Mishandled direct quotations. Make each quotation part of one of your sentences. Introduce each quotation, clearly identifying speaker, context, and any unclear references within the quotation. Put page number (for prose) or line number (for poetry) in parenthesis after quotation. Put period at end of sentence.
PROOFREAD. ____Error of fact Wrong Punctuation
____Fragment ____Miscopied quotation ____Quotation within quotation
____Run-on sentence ____Diction error or misused term ____Coordinating conjunction
____Misspelling ____Lack of parallelism ____Introductory element
____Garbled or wrong syntax ____Wrong or misplaced modifier ____Restrictive/non-restrictive element
____S-V disagreement ____Omitted or misused apostrophe ____Concluding adverb clause
____Wrong case ____Omitted or redundant words ____Title
____Wrong principal part ____Unclear or illogical pronoun reference ____Other
____No Pledge ____Capitalization
PROOFREADING
STANDARDS FOR GRADE 8
An
essay with two of these errors will receive a D or lower.
An
essay with three or more of these errors will receive an F.
1. one run-on sentence
2. one sentence fragment
3. five misspellings
4. two subject-verb disagreements
5. two miscopied quotations
6. two garbled syntax
OTHER PENALTIES
No Quotations -10
No Works Cited Page -10
Failure to follow MLA Format -10
One Day Late -10
Two Days Late -20
Three Days Late -100