Works Cited Page and M.L.A. style citation (10 points) The works cited page conforms to M.L.A. style guidelines as presented in class; the works cited page includes four recent essays from scholarly sources as well as relevant primary sources. The writer also uses M.L.A. style citation throughout the body of the paper.

Development (60 points) The writer develops his or her discussion in a substantial way, explaining each point in depth before moving on to the next.

Academic Language Conventions (20 points)The writer uses only academic language conventions, avoiding the major grammar errors and inappropriate features outlined in the attachment to the syllabus.

Style (10 points) The writer chooses words carefully for rhetorical effect.  In addition, the writer demonstrates careful revision through mature diction, use of the present tense, sentence variation, thoughtful phrasing, avoidance of the passive voice, and the appropriate use of transitions.

Thesis (5 points) The writer poses an interesting thesis that he or she sustains throughout the paper.

Introduction and conclusion (10 points) The introduction reviews secondary sources to establish an intellectual context for the discussion in the body of the paper.  Furthermore, the conclusion goes beyond mere summation of the writer’s points.

Organization (10 points) The paper develops the interpretation without digression.  Moreover, each point leads logically to the next, guiding the reader to see the significance of the writer's interpretation.