Outline Structure for Literary Analysis Essay I. Catchy Title II. Paragraph 1: I

Outline Structure for Literary Analysis Essay
I. Catchy Title
II. Paragraph 1: Introduction (Use HATMAT)
A. Hook
B. Author
C. Title
D. Main characters
E. A short summary
F. Thesis
III. Paragraph 2: First Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence (what this paragraph will discuss, how it will prove your thesis)
B. Context for the quote
1. Who says it?
2. What’s happening in the text when they say it?
C. Quote from the text (cited appropriately)
D. Analysis of the quote: How does it prove your thesis?
E. Closing sentence (wrap up the paragraph to effectively transition to the next paragraph)
IV. Paragraph 3: Second Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence (what this paragraph will discuss, how it will prove your thesis)
B. Context for the quote
1. Who says it?
2. What’s happening in the text when they say it?
C. Quote from the text (cited appropriately)
D. Analysis of the quote: How does it prove your thesis?
E. Closing sentence (wrap up the paragraph to effectively transition to the next paragraph
V. Paragraph 4: Third Body Paragraph
A. Topic sentence (what this paragraph will discuss, how it will prove your thesis)
B. Context for the quote
1. Who says it?
2. What’s happening in the text when they say it?
C. Quote from the text (cited appropriately)
D. Analysis of the quote: How does it prove your thesis?
E. Closing sentence (wrap up the paragraph to effectively transition to the next paragraph
VI. Conclusion (You do not necessarily have to follow this order, but include the following):
A. Summarize your argument.
B. Extend the argument.
C. Show why the text is important.
Rhetorical Analysis Rubric
Please note that any papers that do not meet the length requirements will lose points.
One page short -10 points
A few sentences on the final page- 8 points
Half a page short -5 points
Category Level 4-
Meets
Expectations
Level 3-
Proficient
Level 2-
Needs
Improvement
Level 1-
Unsatisfactory
Introduction,
Thesis, &
Conclusion
20 points
Introduction
provides context
for the rest of the
paper; thesis is
explicit and clear;
conclusion restates
the thesis and
provides cohesion
to whole paper.
20 points
Either introduction
provides
insufficient
context for the rest
of the paper, thesis
is lacking in
clarity, OR
conclusion fails to
recast thesis
effectively.
15 points
Introduction
provides little
context for the
paper; thesis is
implicit and hard
to find; conclusion
makes insufficient
reference to thesis.
10 points
Introduction does
not provide
context for the
paper; thesis is
undetectable;
conclusion seems
unrelated to the
rest of the paper.
5 points
Analysis
30 points
Student effectively
employs concepts
and methods of
rhetorical analysis
to examine the
text. Focuses on
rhetorical aspects
of the text
(audience,
purpose, rhetorical
strategies, etc.)
and supports
claims with
textual and
contextual
references. The
analysis is
sophisticated,
fresh and exciting,
posing new ways
to think of the
material.
Thoughtfully
engages with ideas
presented in text.
Takes some
chances. Needs to
stretch analysis a
bit further.
Employs concepts
and methods of
rhetorical analysis
effectively and
mostly focuses on
rhetorical aspects
of text.
Shows
engagement with
ideas in text by
choosing
appropriate
quotations, but
may lack
sufficient analysis.
Inconsistently
employs concepts
and methods of
rhetorical analysis
and/or may
incorrectly apply
these strategies in
her/his analysis.
Analysis diverges
from the rhetorical
aspects of text.
Analysis fails to
offer insight into
effectiveness of
text for author’s
purpose and
situation.
Student does not
apply
methods/concepts
of rhetorical
analysis from this
unit and does not
focus on rhetorical
aspects of text.
30 points
25 points 20 points 15 points
Supporting
Details
25 points
Support
information is
related to the
analysis and
supportive of the
topic/subject.
25 points
Support
information has
minor weaknesses
relative to analysis
and/or support of
the topic/subject.
20 points
Support
information has
major weaknesses
relative to analysis
and/or support of
the topic/subject.
15 points
An attempt has
been made to add
support
information, but it
was unrelated or
confusing.
10 points
Sources &
MLA Format
15 points
Evidence from
sources is smoothly
and logically
integrated into the
essay and serves to
add credibility &
insight into the
writer’s position/
claim. All sources
are cited accurately
and are highly
relevant and
reliable. Essay is
written in the
correct MLA
format.
15 points
Evidence from
source(s) is
integrated into the
text. Most sources
are cited accurately
and are generally
relevant and
reliable. Essay has
some MLA
formatting errors.
10 points
Some source
material is used
and may or may
not lend credibility
to the writer’s
position/claim.
Several sources
may not be cited
accurately.
Relevance and
reliability may be
questionable. There
are many MLA
formatting errors.
5 points
Few or no source
material is used.
Source citations are
not evident or may
be highly
inaccurate.
Relevance and/or
reliability are
strongly in
question. There are
so many MLA
formatting errors
that take away
from the content.
3 points
Grammar and
Organization
10 points
Demonstrates
skillful writing
fluency, exhibits
few or no
mechanical errors.
Smooth flow of
ideas ordered in a
logical sequence
that effectively
guides the reader;
each paragraph
has a well
supported and
clearly stated main
point.
Writing is clear
and sentences
have some varied
structure. Diction
is appropriate.
Tone is generally
consistent with the
writer’s position /
claim and
appropriate
throughout the
essay.
Punctuation,
spelling, &
capitalization are
Writing fluency is
lacking, exhibits
several
mechanical errors.
Ideas do not
always flow in a
logical, cohesive
manner;
paragraphs do not
have clear and
supported main
idea.
Demonstrates
minimal writing
fluency, exhibits
numerous
mechanical errors.
Sequence of ideas
and paragraphs
seems aimless.
10 points
generally accurate,
with some errors.
8 points
6 points 4 points
Total Points 100 points