Objective	Excellent	Good	Fair	Deficient
Introduction: poem’s title, author, thesis statement	The introduction has a great attention-getter and introduces the purpose of the paper with a comprehensive thesis statement.	The introduction has a good attention-getter and introduces the purpose of the paper with a thesis statement.	The introduction only provides a thesis statement.	The introduction does not provide a complete thesis statement.
Body: Each paragraph should identify the literary element, provide a specific example, and discuss the significance of that element for the meaning of the poem	Each body paragraph identifies the literary element, provides more than one specific example, and comprehensively discusses the significance of the example as it applies to the meaning of the poem. The description answers, “so what?”	Each body paragraph identifies the literary element, provides at least one specific example and describes with detail the significance of the example as it applies to the meaning of the poem. The description answers, “so what?”	Each body paragraph identifies the literary element and provides and example. The description of the significance may be vague or incomplete. The answer to, “so what?” may not be complete.	The body paragraphs do not identify a literary element. The paragraphs may not have an example to illustrate the literary element. There is not a complete description of the significance of the element as it applies to the meaning of the poem. There is no answer to the question, “so what?”
Conclusion: Remind readers of the thesis statement, summarize the main points, relate the poem to broader themes in life	The conclusion restates the thesis, comprehensively summarizes the main ideas of each paragraph, and relates the poem to broader themes in life.	The conclusion restates the thesis, briefly summarizes the main ideas in each paragraph, and briefly relates the poem to broader themes in life.	The conclusion vaguely restates the thesis. Details in the summarization are missing. The poem is not clearly related to broader themes in life.	The conclusion does not directly restate the thesis or clearly summarize the main points. There are details missing that would help to relate the poem to broader themes in life.
Interpret a universal theme	There is a theme identified in the introduction and then comprehensively expanded in the conclusion.	There is a theme identified in the introduction and then expanded in the conclusion. May be missing some details.	The theme may be vague or not descriptive enough. It may be just one word or doesn’t express a complete idea.	There is not a theme, or the ideas presented do not represent a theme.
Analyze ways in which the author conveys mood and tone, or creates broader meanings, through use of literary elements	The literary terms are identified in each paragraph. The terms are comprehensively described and discussed. The examples work to exemplify each term. It is obvious that the element is essential to the meaning of the poem.	The literary terms are identified in each paragraph. The terms are described and discussed. The examples are good enough to demonstrate the idea. It is clear that the example is meaningful.	The terms are not clearly identified in each paragraph. Some examples don’t work to illustrate meaning. It is not clear that the student has a grasp on the significance of the element.	The terms are not identified or the descriptions are too brief/ vague. It is not clear that the student knows why the term is important or whether or not the term even exists in the poem.