Mr. P’s HONORS ENGLISH

1. Mr. P’sHONORSENGLISH Final Grade Rubric & Checklist Master Essay

2. Tools for Writers All year long we have been working at fine-tuning your writing skills and giving you a stronger command of the tools writers use to be stronger communicators…

3. Master Essay Tools Sentence structures – length & variety Strong diction – word choice Punctuation skills Commas Semi-colon Colon Dash Ellipsis Apostrophes Intros – Conclusions - Transitions

4. Master Essay Grading Since your master essay has been a work of many revisions, grading will be handled a bit differently than on your previous papers. Instead of one TOTAL grade, you will be receiving a series of grades based on how well you followed instructions and learned to use the writing tools.

5. Grade 1 – FormatingA if matches/F if not Your final paper must match these criteria… • Font = Times Roman 12 point • MLA Format • 1-inch margins • Header – last name – one space – page#in same font as paper all way to right margin • Name box formatted correctly – MLA date format • All of paper double-spaced – no extras!

6. Grade 2 – Diction (Word Choice) Your final paper must… • Eliminate “weasel words” • Include at least five examples of quality vocabulary Five examples must be highlighted in GREEN! • A = no errors • A- = 1 error • B = 2-3 errors • C = more than 3 errors

7. Grade 3 – Sentence Variety Your final paper must highlight… • a “semi-colon” sentence pattern • a sentence of less than 10 words • a complex sentence • a compound/complex sentence Examples must be highlighted in PINK! • A = meets all requirements • B = missing 1 element • C = missing 2 or more elements

8. Grade 4 – Commas • A = no errors • A- = 1 error • B = 2-3 errors • C = more than 3 errors

9. Grade 5 – Punc. VarietyA if all correct / less 1 for each missing For full credit, paper must have one correctly written example of these punctuation tools • Semi-colon • Colon (as list marker) • Dash • Ellipsis MUST BE HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW! NOTE: Dashes are two hyphens – type with a space on each side!

10. Grade 6 – Apostrophes • A = no errors • A- = 1 error • B = 2-3 errors • C = more than 3 errors

11. Grade 7 – Title & Intro Your final paper must… • Include a creative, interesting title • Exhibit a creative intro paragraph of at least 4 sentences • Exhibit care in word choice • Not include “there are” sentences • Effectively introduce topic of essay Grades: A if requirements met – B if not

12. Grade 8 – Transitions & Conclusion Your final paper must… • Move smoothly from point to point • Include appropriate transition phases & sentences – not jump from point to point • Include strong conclusion that exhibits careful wording & clincher sentence • Not include “there are” sentences • Effectively wrap-up the topic of essay Grades: A if requirements met – B if not

13. Grade 9 – Word CountA if essay matches guidelines Your final paper must match these criteria… • All comma rule notations removed • Word Count printed on final page • Word Count meets class guideline of 1500 words • Word Count does not display obvious filler techniques that marks poor writing

14. Grade 10 – Revision CollectionA if all present - less 1 for each missing Your final paper must include… • Rough Draft • Comma Draft (with reasons) • Punctuation Variety Draft • Format/Title/Word Choice Draft • Master Essay Final Draft

15. Congratulations! You have completed the MASTER ESSAY assignment for Honors English – this is more focus on one piece of writing than you probably have experienced in your whole life. I pray that it has been an opportunity for you to experiment and fine-tune your writing skills as you head to next great adventure in your life. Blessings to you all! Mr. P