Contents (3 points each): 60% I. Introduction ____ A. Opening Statement ____ B. Title, author, genre, theme ____ C. Main characters, setting ____ D. Thesis statement II. Synopsis ____ A. Complete ____ B. Concise (a paragraph, not a lengthy summary) III. Observation #1 ____ A. Topic sentence ____ B. Support for topic ____ C. Supporting quote(s) ____ D. Wrap-up sentence IV. Observation #2 ____ A. Topic sentence ____ B. Support for topic ____ C. Supporting quote(s) ____ D. Wrap-up sentence V. Conclusion ____ A. Writer’s reaction ____ B. Integration of themes ____ C. Closing statement VI. Style ____ A. Transitions ____ B. Language (not too informal; no jargon or colloquialisms) ____ C. Voice (it sounds like you, not somebody else, wrote it) Mechanics (4 points each) 40%:
 ____ A. Heading and header (see top of page) (1) ____ B. Title (1) ____ C. Format (5 paragraph essay) (2) ____ D. Spelling (5) ____ E. Tenses (don’t switch tenses!) (5) ____ F. Person (avoid “you”) (1) ____ G. Grammar (agreement, parallel structure, etc) (10) ____ H. Punctuation (avoid comma splices, etc.), capitals (10) ____ I. Clarity (straightforward sentences!) (5) ____ J. Extra: Exceptional grace and style in writing and thinking. (5)