Insight and Comprehension Theme statement is ironic or paradoxical

Depth of discussion with sophisticated insight

Theme statement is complex and layered

Discussion is thorough and well developed

Theme statement is straightforward and clear

Discussion is satisfactory but lacks depth

Theme statement is too broad or general

Discussion is limited and underdeveloped

Theme statement is unclear or absent

Discussion is incomplete or oversimplified

Argument and support Enhances ideas with relevant, varied support and through elaboration

Enhances ideas with convincing support and elaboration

Develops ideas with support but lacks elaboration

Has minimal relevant support

Support takes the form of summary

Lacks support

Language and organzation Powerful SNAP Dynamic, vivid word

choice with sophisticated sentence types

Seamless incorporation of quotes

Strong SNAP Effective and thoughtful

word choice with varied sentence types

Incorporation of quotes

Competent SNAP Clear and straightforward word choice with some sentence variety

Inconsistent incorporation of quotes

Basic SNAP Words not chosen for effect; limited variety of sentence types

Fragmented incorporation of quotes

No SNAP Unclear word choice; simplistic and repetitious sentence structure

No incorporation of quotes

Mechanics No errors in usage or conventions

Minimal errors in usage and conventions that do not distract

Several errors in usage and conventions that interfere with meaning

Serious errors in usage and conventions that distract from meaning

Numerous serious errors that impede meaning

Assignment Focus: extended metaphor

Powerful use of metaphor language to discuss character

Proficient use of metaphor language to discuss character

Some use of metaphor language to discuss character

Minimal use of metaphor language to discuss character

No metaphor language to discuss character

Insight and Comprehension Theme statement is ironic or paradoxical

Depth of discussion with sophisticated insight

Theme statement is complex and layered

Discussion is thorough and well developed

Theme statement is straightforward and clear

Discussion is satisfactory but lacks depth

Theme statement is too broad or general

Discussion is limited and underdeveloped

Theme statement is unclear or absent

Discussion is incomplete or oversimplified

Argument and support Enhances ideas with relevant, varied support and through elaboration

Enhances ideas with convincing support and elaboration

Develops ideas with support but lacks elaboration

Has minimal relevant support

Support takes the form of summary

Lacks support

Language and organzation Powerful SNAP Dynamic, vivid word

choice with sophisticated sentence types

Seamless incorporation of quotes

Strong SNAP Effective and thoughtful

word choice with varied sentence types

Incorporation of quotes

Competent SNAP Clear and straightforward word choice with some sentence variety

Inconsistent incorporation of quotes

Basic SNAP Words not chosen for effect; limited variety of sentence types

Fragmented incorporation of quotes

No SNAP Unclear word choice; simplistic and repetitious sentence structure

No incorporation of quotes

Mechanics No errors in usage or conventions

Minimal errors in usage and conventions that do not distract

Several errors in usage and conventions that interfere with meaning

Serious errors in usage and conventions that distract from meaning

Numerous serious errors that impede meaning

Assignment Focus: extended metaphor

Powerful use of metaphor language to discuss character

Proficient use of metaphor language to discuss character

Some use of metaphor language to discuss character

Minimal use of metaphor language to discuss character

No metaphor language to discuss character

I want you to notice…

I still need to work on….

I want you to notice…

I still need to work on….