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SMCHS ENGLISH DEPARTMENT WRITING RUBRIC<br />
SMCHS Graduates will be: Spiritual - People of Faith, Intellectual - Skilled Lifelong Learners,<br />
Physical - Healthy Individuals, Social & Moral - Involved Citizens of the World<br />
ASSIGNMENT TITLE & INTRODUCTION:<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Alchemist</strong> Literary Analysis <strong>Essay</strong><br />
Directions:<br />
Choose the theme from <strong>The</strong> <strong>Alchemist</strong> that is most evident or powerful. You will include quotes from the story as<br />
your concrete detail and comment on how those details support your thesis.<br />
Choose ONE (1) of the BOLDED themes:<br />
<strong>The</strong> theme of one’s own Personal Legend recurs many times in the story. It refers to that which is your own dream or goal in life<br />
and is part of the path God has created for you. You have the free will to turn your back on your Personal Legend, but it is a<br />
decision which you could live to regret. Most people never achieve it because it is a journey filled with hardships and many turn<br />
back. For those who continue their search, the fulfillment of their Personal Legend is immensely satisfying and rewarding.<br />
<strong>The</strong> theme of perseverance is also an important idea. Many times, Santiago finds himself wanting to turn back and it’s only when<br />
he reaches deep within himself that he finds the strength of will to go on. It teaches us all about how good things come to those<br />
who reach out for them, not to those who wait! Life is a struggle no matter what path we may choose, but if we stay strong and<br />
continue on, the consequences are all good.<br />
<strong>The</strong> theme of the Soul of the World is a theme which makes the reader think about how we are all connected in some way to<br />
each other, to the animals around, to the plant life, and to every element created by God. <strong>The</strong> Master Work is actually his<br />
creation of earth and everything on it and around it in six days. So we are all an element of his creation. Once we realize that, we<br />
can find our Personal Legend and understand the language of the world.<br />
<strong>The</strong> theme of faith/positive thinking is also an intrinsic part of this story. Without faith that he could succeed and without the<br />
faith others had in him, Santiago would have been lost. Santiago’s faith also made him able to find the positive aspects of<br />
seemingly negative situations. Again, it is a message to us all about believing in ourselves and our part of the Soul of the World.<br />
<strong>The</strong> final theme is very close to perseverance, but refers to the need to confront the four obstacles of life and overcome them.<br />
This refers to the obstacles found in Coelho’s Introduction. If we can climb over these four walls, our treasure will be close at<br />
hand and we will have discovered our fulfilled our own Personal Legend.<br />
Source for theme explanation: Pinkmonkey.com<br />
PROMPT:<br />
In a 4-paragraph essay, decide which of the following themes is the most prominent/important/relevant in <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Alchemist</strong> and explain why. Also, consider how this theme functions throughout the book.<br />
ASSIGNMENT SPECIFIC ELEMENTS:<br />
1. Introductory Paragraph: includes hook (general thoughts/ideas about your theme), title, author, précis,<br />
thesis that directly answers the prompt with 2 reasons (your two body paragraphs)<br />
2. Body Paragraph 1: Should have ample support (quotes and passages) as well as topic and conclusion sentences.<br />
This proves your reason number 1.<br />
3. Body Paragraph 2: Should have ample support (quotes and passages) as well as topic and conclusion sentences.<br />
This proves your reason number 2.<br />
4. Conclusion Paragraph: revisits thesis and explains with convincing commentary the reasons that support it.<br />
Leaves the reader with general thoughts regarding your theme, possibly unrelated to Santiago or <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Alchemist</strong>.<br />
5. MLA Format with Works Cited: original title, 1” margins, heading, page numbers, spacing, TLQ’s, internal<br />
citations, works cited format (see MLA handbook)<br />
6. Insight: Did you think deeply and portray your thoughts using mature diction, present tense, and NO 1 st<br />
person (“I think the most important theme is…”).
SMCHS ENGLISH DEPARTMENT WRITING RUBRIC<br />
SMCHS Graduates will be: Spiritual - People of Faith, Intellectual - Skilled Lifelong Learners,<br />
Physical - Healthy Individuals, Social & Moral - Involved Citizens of the World<br />
Argument 5 4 3 2 1<br />
Application: Does the writing have an argumentative thesis that answers the prompt?<br />
Analysis: Is the argument divided into logical parts? Are provoking questions addressed? Are terms<br />
defined?<br />
Synthesis: Are the logical parts related to the whole? Is an understanding of the big picture evident?<br />
Evaluation: Are opinions presented in arguable fashion? Are judgments made? Is a point made?<br />
Development 5 4 3 2 1<br />
Evidence: Are specific, concrete details presented?<br />
Accuracy: Are the concrete details accurate and true?<br />
Relevance: Is the evidence relevant to the argument? Is the relevance explained? Does it prove your<br />
point?<br />
Substance: Is enough evidence presented to prove your point?<br />
Organization 5 4 3 2 1<br />
Unity & Coherence: Does all of the writing center on the argument?<br />
Order: Are the argument and evidence arranged in the most convincing order?<br />
Structure: Are introduction, thesis, body paragraphs, and conclusion constructed appropriately? Are<br />
paragraphs introduced, maintained, and concluded?<br />
Presentation: Are symmetry, parallel structure, transitions & variation employed effectively? Is the<br />
writing’s length appropriate to the argument?<br />
Expression 5 4 3 2 1<br />
Style: Is the style appropriate to the assignment – formal, informal, scholarly, personal, or creative?<br />
Voice: Is a recognizable identity present? Is the audience understood? Is the tone appropriate?<br />
Diction & Language: Are the most effective words chosen? Is rhetorical or figurative language<br />
employed appropriately?<br />
Clarity: Is the writing clear, active, readable, and appropriately concise?<br />
Conventions 5 4 3 2 1<br />
Diction & Spelling: Are the right words spelled correctly?<br />
Grammar & Usage: Are person, tense, subject/verb agreement, & subordination used appropriately? Are<br />
words and phrases used according to custom?<br />
Mechanics & Punctuation: Is sentence construction sound? Are punctuation marks used appropriately?<br />
MLA: Is the proper formatting applied to font, margins, spacing, & citations?<br />
TOTAL: ________/100<br />
Rationale for numeric values:<br />
5 Skill or element applied subtly, sophisticatedly, with superior insight & complexity.<br />
4 Skill or element applied with greater competence and with greater insight & complexity, but lacking the distinction of a 5.<br />
3 Skill or element applied competently.<br />
2 Skill or element approaching competence.<br />
1 Little evidence of skill or element.