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Descriptive Essay of Place

This document contains a rubric for evaluating descriptive essays. It evaluates elements like the introduction/thesis, sensory details, word choice, figurative language, organization, sentence structure, and grammar. For the introduction, it evaluates whether the intro paragraph states the subject clearly and captures attention, and whether the thesis is effectively crafted. It evaluates the use of details that appeal to the five senses. It evaluates the use of vivid words that communicate strongly and capture interest, versus limited or inaccurate word choice. It evaluates the effective use of similes, metaphors, and personification. It evaluates organization into fully developed paragraphs with transitions connecting back to the thesis. Finally, it evaluates sentence structure, variety, clarity and fluency, and

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187 views2 pages

Descriptive Essay of Place

This document contains a rubric for evaluating descriptive essays. It evaluates elements like the introduction/thesis, sensory details, word choice, figurative language, organization, sentence structure, and grammar. For the introduction, it evaluates whether the intro paragraph states the subject clearly and captures attention, and whether the thesis is effectively crafted. It evaluates the use of details that appeal to the five senses. It evaluates the use of vivid words that communicate strongly and capture interest, versus limited or inaccurate word choice. It evaluates the effective use of similes, metaphors, and personification. It evaluates organization into fully developed paragraphs with transitions connecting back to the thesis. Finally, it evaluates sentence structure, variety, clarity and fluency, and

Uploaded by

dinniel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name______________________

Descriptive Essay Rubric


Title
of Essay reflects content: Yes No (2 points)
CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
Introduction and Thesis Introductory Introductory Introductory No attempt is made
paragraph clearly paragraph states paragraph attempts to state the subject
states subject of subject of essay but to state subject of of the essay in an
essay and captures is not particularly essay but does not introductory
reader's attention. engaging. contain a clear paragraph.
Thesis statement is thesis.
effectively crafted.

Sensory Details Essay includes Includes some Includes only a few Includes no details
engaging details details that appeal details that appeal that appeal to the
that appeal to the to the five senses. to the senses. senses.
five senses (taste,
touch, sound, sight,
smell).

Word Choice Writer uses vivid Writer uses vivid Writer uses words Writer uses a
words and phrases words and phrases that communicate limited vocabulary
that linger or draw that linger or draw clearly, but the that does not
pictures in the pictures in the writing lacks variety, communicate
reader's mind, and reader's mind, but sophistication, or strongly or capture
the choice and occasionally the flair. the reader's
placement of the words are used interest. Jargon or
words seems inaccurately or cliches may detract
accurate, natural seem overdone. from the meaning.
and not forced.

Figurative Language Writer effectively Writer uses one Writer may try to Writer does not
uses simile, example of simile, use simile, include simile,
Simile/Metaphor/ metaphor, and metaphor, or metaphor, and metaphor, or
Personification, etc. personification to personification to personification but personification in
describe the describe the does so incorrectly. essay.
subject. subject.

Organization and Writer organizes the Writer organizes Writer organizes Writer does not
Development essay in multiple, the essay in the essay in organize the essay
fully-developed multiple paragraphs paragraphs that in paragraphs.
paragraphs with with some need further There are no
transitions and links transitions and links development. transitions or links
that connect the that connect the Transitions and back to the thesis.
body paragraphs body paragraphs links to the thesis
back to the thesis. back to the thesis. are inadequate.

All sentences are


well-constructed Most sentences are
Sentence Structure with varied well-constructed Most sentences are Sentences lack
structure. with varied well-constructed but structure and
(Variety, Clarity, Fluency) structure. have a similar appear incomplete
structure. or rambling.

Grammar and Mechanics There are no errors There are some There are errors There are serious
in grammar or errors; however, that distract the errors that interfere
punctuation. these errors do not reader. with the reader's
distract the reader. understanding of
the essay.
Total Score: ________/28

Descriptive Essay: A Place


A Model from Ethan Frome: How does Wharton describe Starkfield?

One would have supposed that such an atmosphere must quicken the emotions as well as
the blood; but it seemed to produce no change except that of retarding still more the
sluggish pulse of Starkfield. When I had been there a little longer, and had seen this
phase of crystal clearness followed by long stretches of sunless cold; when the storms of
February had pitched their white tents about the devoted village and the wild cavalry of
March winds had charged down to their support; I began to understand why Starkfield
emerged from its six months’ siege like a starved garrison capitulating without quarter.
Twenty years earlier the means of resistance must have been far fewer, and the enemy in
command of almost all the lines of access between the beleaguered villages; and,
considering these things, I felt the sinister force of Harmon’s phrase: “Most of the smart
ones get away.” But if that were the case, how could any combination of obstacles have
hindered the flight of a man like Ethan Frome? (Wharton, “Prologue” to Ethan Frome)

In the passage above, Starkfield is compared to a___________________________.

Who is the “enemy” in this comparison?

What literary devices are used to describe Starkfield?


Find two examples. Underline the phrases in the text and identify the devices.

Your Task: Write a description of a special place. Your tone (attitude towards your
subject) can be positive or negative, but this setting must have some personal
significance. You must express what that significance is in a thesis statement. Your entire
description must illustrate the validity of that statement. Lastly, using Edith Wharton’s
description of Starkfield as a model, create an extended metaphor (or use another literary
device) that features an original, creative comparison of your place to something else.

Requirements:

 a complete rough draft for peer editing


 MLA format (typed, double-spaced, title, heading, headers, etc.)
 2 pages in length (minimum)
 thesis statement
 extended metaphor (or other literary device)
 editing for sentence clarity and variety

Deadlines:

Rough Draft due:

Final Draft due:

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