CRITICAL REVIEW ESSAY

POINTS

Essay Structure
10 pts
Poor: 0-3 points
Fair: 4-7 points
Good: 8-10 points

Poor

Fair

Good

Essay does not have

introduction, body
paragraph and
conclusion. There is no
thesis statement. Body
paragraphs are not
clear.

Essay has and

introduction and a
conclusion. Includes
body paragraphs. Thesis
statement is stated, but
not clear.

Argument/Thesis
15 pts
Poor: 0-7 points
Fair: 8-11 points
Good: 12-15 points

Poor

Fair

Essay has a clear introduction,

conclusion and at least three
body paragraphs. Introduction
has thesis statement.
Paragraphs have topic
sentences. Conclusion
summarizes the point of the
essay.
Good

Writer's stance on the

argument is not clear.
Argument is simple and
not explained.
Poor

Writer states argument.

Argument is somewhat
developed.

Evidence is not specific.

Writer does not include
at least three pieces of
textual evidence.
Evidence is simple and
not fully explored.
Evidence does not
support the writer's
argument/thesis.

Includes at least three

textual references to
back up thesis, but they
are not thoroughly
explained or examined.
Evidence is not specific
and/or does not support
the writer's
argument/thesis
statement.
Fair

Includes at least three textual

references to back up thesis.
This evidence is specific,
complex and thoroughly
examined. Evidence is quoted
or paraphrased and clearly
supports the writer's
argument.

There are few spelling

errors. Student uses
mostly proper grammar,
including correct
punctuation and
sentence structure in
most cases. There may
be errors when using
MLA format.

Essay uses correct grammar,

including spelling, punctuation
and sentence structure.
Sentences are complete.
Student uses capitalization
where needed. Citation
references follow the MLA
format. Work has clearly been
edited.

Textual Evidence
15 pts
Poor: 0-7 points
Fair: 8-11 points
Good: 12-15 points

Grammar
10 pts
Poor: 0-3 points
Fair: 4-7 points
Good: 8-10 points

Poor
The essay clearly has
not been edited. There
are numerous spelling,
punctuation errors, and
sentence structure
problems. There are
errors when using MLA
format.

Fair

Writer clearly states his or her

position. Writer's argument is
thoughtful, complex and
thoroughly explained.
Good

Good

50 POINTS

TOTAL

NAME: ________________________________________ Grade & Section: _________________________________

Guide Questions for Historical/Biographical Criticism:

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What aspects of the authors personal life are relevant to this story?
Which of the authors stated beliefs are reflected in the work?
Do any of the events in the story correspond to events experienced by the author?
Do any of the characters in the story correspond to real people?
How does it reflect the time in which it was written?
How accurately does the story depict the time in which it is set?
What literary or historical influences helped to shape the form and content of the work?
How does the story reflect the attitudes and beliefs of the time in which it was written or set?
(Consider beliefs and attitudes related to race, religion, politics, gender, society, philosophy, etc.)
What other literary works may have influenced the writer?
What historical events or movements might have influenced this writer?
How would characters and events in this story have been viewed by the writers contemporaries?
Does the story reveal or contradict the prevailing values of the time in which it was written?
Does it provide an opposing view of the periods prevailing values?
How important is it the historical context (the works and the readers) to interpreting the work?

For MLA In-text citation visit this link: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/