Determine criterias (such as grammar, factual correctness, writing style, plagiarism, correspondence to the topic, etc) and use them to eval...

Essay Evaluation

Student's Essay Title: Comparison of Plotlines in To Kill a Mockingbird

Grading Criteria

  1. Ideas & Content: 2.5

    • The essay presents relevant ideas about the differences between the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" and its film adaptation. However, the exploration of these ideas is somewhat surface-level; the student could expand on the significance of the changes and how they affect character development or themes.
  2. Organization: 2.0

    • The essay has a basic structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. However, the organization within paragraphs is weak, leading to confusion in the flow of ideas. Transitions between thoughts and paragraphs are poor, and there is no clear thesis statement to guide the reader.
  3. Voice: 2.5

    • The voice in the essay reflects an attempt to engage with the subject but lacks sophistication. The use of "me and possibly other people" detracts from the academic tone. Strengthening the voice would involve using more formal language and avoiding colloquialisms.
  4. Word Choice: 2.0

    • The word choice is generally appropriate for a Year 9 audience, but there are several issues, including misspellings (e.g., "Reverend Skys," "becasue," "plotlines") and awkward phrases (e.g., "the movie have a different ending"). More varied vocabulary could enhance the overall quality of writing.
  5. Sentence Fluency: 2.5

    • Sentences are generally clear, but the essay contains several run-on sentences that hinder readability. There are also grammatical errors that affect fluency, such as "they did not to this plot in," which should be "they did not include this plot." Improving sentence structure would elevate the writing.
  6. Conventions: 2.0

    • There are multiple grammatical errors, misspellings, and punctuation mistakes throughout the essay. Additionally, terms are not defined correctly (e.g., "Reverend Skys" which is likely meant to be "Reverend Sykes"). Following conventions more closely would enhance clarity and professionalism.

Summary of Evaluation

This essay demonstrates a basic understanding of the differences between the novel and film of "To Kill a Mockingbird," but it lacks depth and clarity. The writing can be improved significantly through better organization, sentence structure, and attention to conventions.

Suggestions for Improvement

  1. Develop a Strong Thesis: Start with a strong statement that clearly outlines what you will discuss in the essay.
  2. Use Clear Transitions: Improve the organization by using transitional phrases to connect ideas between sentences and paragraphs.
  3. Expand Ideas: Go deeper into the significance of the plot differences and how they impact the story and character development.
  4. Vary Sentence Structure: Mix short and long sentences to improve fluency. This creates better rhythm in your writing.
  5. Proofread for Grammar and Spelling: Take extra time to check for and correct any spelling or grammatical errors before submission.

By focusing on these areas, you can enhance the overall quality of your writing and produce a more compelling essay.