Romeo and Juliet Essay

Romeo and Juliet overcome their parents’ disapproval and Romeo’s banishment to consummate
their “death-marked love” (Prologue.9). Their reckless pursuit of love ends in the deaths of
themselves and others, proving that “violent delights have violent ends'' (2.6.8). What do the
actions of Romeo and Juliet say about Shakespeare’s view of love?

Essay Requirements:
● A creative title.
● 1 paragraph with a clear, arguable thesis and concluding statement.
● Proper use of parenthetical citations.

Read over the rubric carefully. The essay will be graded on a 9-point scale with the possibility of
2 extra points. However, the essay is worth 40 points. The number of points you earn will be
based on the percentages shown here:

11/9= 105%
10/9= 100%
9/9= 97%
8/9= 93%
7/9= 87%
6/9= 83%
5/9= 75%
4/9= 68%
3/9= 63%
2/9= 55%
1/9= 50%
0/9= 0%
Romeo and Juliet Essay Rubric
Question +3
Does the student Completely answers the question being asked in the prompt. Provides a
answer the convincing, sound thesis that addresses all questions of the prompt fully.
question being
asked by the +2
prompt? Answers the question being asked by the prompt, but possibly not fully.
Includes a reasonable thesis that could be improved (usually with word
choice or syntax).

+1
Attempts to answer the question asked by the prompt, but does not do so
adequately. The thesis may attempt to make an assertion related to the
prompt, but may not do so clearly.

0
The student does not make an attempt to answer the question asked in the
prompt. The response may be completely off topic, or a sufficient attempt
at discussion may not be made. Thesis may be missing.
Organization +3
Does the student Essay is well‐organized. The essay’s organization not only makes it easy
organize the to understand, it adds logic to the argument being made by giving thought
essay in a way to the placement of key points, both on the paragraph and sentence level.
that maximizes
clarity and logic +2
in Essay is well‐organized and easily understandable. More thought to the
argument? placement of key points, both within sentences and within the essay as a
whole, might make the argument more convincing. There may be some
issues with redundancy, awkward construction, and/or progression.

+1
Essay is not well‐organized. Lack of organization makes the essay
difficult to understand and takes away from the argument’s effectiveness.
There are multiple issues related to redundancy, awkward construction,
and/or progression.

+0
The writer does not make an attempt to organize the essay logically and
clearly. The essay does not move in any direction and is filled with
redundancy and/or awkward construction.

Evidence +3
Does the student Assertions in the essay are backed up by concrete evidence that is logical
include appropriate for the question being addressed. In addition, commentary on
appropriate, that evidence ties it back to the assertion completely, making it clear
logical evidence exactly how the evidence proves the point being made. Analysis is clear,
as well as well-developed, and insightful. Multiple examples that prove the writer’s
commentary that assertions are included and discussed.
explains how the
evidence proves +2
the assertion? Assertions in the essay are backed up by evidence that is appropriate for
the question being addressed. Commentary on the evidence attempts to tie
it back to the assertion, but may not do so completely or for all points.
May not provide enough examples to prove assertions thoroughly. There
may be some summary present in place of analysis.

+1
Assertions in the essay are not backed up by logical, appropriate evidence
to discuss the question being asked, or there may not be enough evidence
to support the assertion. In addition, commentary may be severely
underdeveloped, making it difficult for the reader to understand how the
evidence proves the writer’s point. Commentary is mostly a summary of
 the evidence.

+0
The writer does not provide concrete evidence to support the assertion
being made.

Grammar, Negative points for the following issues:

-2
Many issues present. Impacts flow and clarity of paragraph.

-1
Multiple errors present. Does not impact the meaning of the paragraph.

0
Minimal errors.

Voice +2
Does the student The student provides an answer that is appropriate for the task and that
surpass the task also adds a unique perspective on the issue being addressed, whether
of simply through exemplary diction, effective use of rhetorical strategies, or an
answering the overall feel of sophistication.
question by
adding his or her +1
own unique voice The student provides an answer that is appropriate for the task that is
to the essay? marked by effective use of diction or rhetorical strategies.
(Additional
criteria)