Below is a list of some categories and criteria with which papers will be evaluated. Some have been adapted from Kathy Skubikowski, who adapted them from Donald M. Murray Learning by Teaching. In addition, papers should also be turned in, typed, at the beginning of class on the date due. Please use a12 pt CourrierorPalatino font with 1.25" margins all around. Focus: Did the paper have a good topic (idea to explore) and a clear strong thesis (argument to make about the topic)? Was the topic interesting? Did the paper stay focused, and lead the reader through a natural and fluid progression of thought? Material: Is there an abundant selection of material to be explored? In particular, the paper should have several relevant passages from the primary text to be explored in the body of the paper. Also, the main points (ideas, arguments) of the thesis should be well-supported by the text. Structure: Is the writing ordered? Are the reader's questions predicted and answered? Does the opening of the paper clearly and honestly lead the reader into the paper? Does the ending work bring the piece to a satisfying conclusion? Language: Does the writer have a strong and consistent voice? Is it appropriate and effective? Is the meaning (of each phrase, each sentence, each paragraph) clear? To Avoid: In addition to the above guidelines, there are several things to avoid in your analytical writing.
Avoid Generalizations. Avoid sweeping generalizations: broad statements about large categories of people, cultures, or even literature. For one thing, they are often wrong; or else they are unhelpful and uninformative. Be specific. Undesirable: "Everybody loves talking horses because we all have a primitive desire to communicate with animals." Avoid Plot Summary. Any time you have two or more sentences in a row telling what happened in a story, that is a plot summary. It is not only unnecessary, but usually distracting. You may make reference to particular events, or particular sequences of events, but do so without a need to retell what happened. Undesirable: "Lucy went into the wardrobe and found herself in another world. The first person she met was a faun named Tumnus. Tumnus took her home to tea with the intent of turning her over to the witch." Acceptable: "There is an interesting passage shortly after Tumnus takes Lucy to his cave." Avoid Psycho-analysis of Author. You are not writing psycho-analysis. You are not even writing biography. Don't write about the author, or what the author is thinking, or why the author wrote a particular thing. Write instead about the book. (The exception to this rule is if you are referring to a specific thing the author wrote, perhaps in a work of non-fiction. It is certainly legitimate to quote an author's own writing to help explain another piece of writing.)