Comparative Analysis Rubric

PROMPT: After reading our text Mythology and You and watching the Disney animated
film Hercules, write an essay of a minimum of 5 pages in which you comparatively
analyze the Greek myths of the text as they are portrayed in the Hercules film. This
essay must be written in MLA format. (Worth 100 points)
Category

4 = 100%

3 = 85%

2 = 70%

1 = 55%

(above grade level)

(at grade level)

(approaching
grade level)

(below grade level)

Focus &
Information

Responds skillfully
and clearly to all
parts of the
prompt (skillfully
compares AND
contrasts
experience of
reading a book
and viewing a
movie.)
Demonstrates a
strong
understanding of
the topic and
texts.

Response to all
parts of the
prompt (compares
AND contrasts
experience of
reading a book
and viewing a
movie.)
Demonstrates an
understanding of
the topic and
texts.

Response to most
parts of the
prompt (compares
OR contrasts
experience of
reading a book
and viewing a
movie.)
Demonstrate a
limited
understanding of
the topic and
texts.

Responds to
some or no parts
of the prompt
(partially
compares OR
contrasts
experience of
reading a book
and viewing a
movie.)
Demonstrates
little to no
understanding of
the topic or texts.

Supporting
Details

Skillfully uses
relevant and
substantial text
support from both
the book and film
with accuracy.
The paper points
to specific
examples to
illustrate the
comparison with
appropriate
references to
page numbers
and movie
scenes. The
paper includes
only the
information
relevant to the
comparison.

Uses relevant and

sufficient text
support from both
the book and film
with accuracy.
The supporting
information is
general with
appropriate
references to
page numbers
and movie
scenes. The
paper includes
only the
information
relevant to the
comparison.

Uses mostly
relevant text
support but may
lack sufficient
evidence and/or
accurate use.
The supporting
information is
incomplete with
some appropriate
references to
page numbers
and movie
scenes. The
paper may include
information that is
not relevant to the
comparison.

Does not use

relevant or
sufficient text
support from
resources with
accuracy.
There is very
minimal or no
supporting
information or the
support is
incomplete.

Category

4 = 100%

3 = 85%

2 = 70%

1 = 55%

(above grade level)

(at grade level)

(approaching
grade level)

(below grade level)

Organization &
Structure

The paper breaks

the information
into whole-towhole, similaritiesto-differences, or
point-by-point
structure. It
follows a
consistent order
when discussing
the comparison.
Organizes ideas
and information
into purposeful,
coherent
paragraphs that
include an
elaborated
introduction with
clear thesis,
structured body,
and insightful
conclusion. Uses
varied transitions
and syntax to link
the major sections
of the text, create
cohesion, and
clarify
relationships
among complex
ideas and
concepts.

The paper breaks

the information
into whole-towhole, similaritiesto-differences, or
point-by-point
structure but does
not follow a
consistent order
when discussing
the comparison.
Organizes ideas
and information
into logical
introductory, boy
and concluding
paragraphs. Uses
varied transitions
and syntax to link
the major sections
of the text, create
cohesion, and
clarify
relationships
among complex
ideas and
concepts.

The paper breaks

the information
into whole-towhole, similaritiesto-differences, or
point-by-point
structure, but
some information
is in the wrong
section. Some
details are not in a
logical or
expected order,
and this distracts
the reader.
Organizes ideas
and information in
an attempted
paragraph
structure that
includes a sense
of introduction,
body, and
conclusion. Uses
some simplistic
transition to
connect ideas, OR
some transitions
work well other
connections
between ideas are
fuzzy.

Many details are

not in a logical or
expected order.
There is little
sense that the
writing is
organized. Does
not organize ideas
and information
coherently due to
lack of paragraph
structure and/or a
missing
introduction, body
or conclusion.
Uses unclear or
nonexistent
transitions to
connect ideas.

Grammar &
Spelling
(Conventions)

Uses purposeful
and varied
sentence
structures. Utilizes
precise and
accurate
vocabulary
throughout the
writing.
Writer makes no
errors in grammar
or spelling that
distract the reader
from content.

Uses correct
varied sentence
structures. Utilizes
precise and
specific language.
Writer makes 1-2
minor errors in
grammar or
spelling that
distract the reader
from the content.

Uses some
repetitive yet
correct sentence
structure. Utilizes
some precise and
specific language
but minimally and/
or inaccurately.
Demonstrates
some grade level
appropriate
conventions, but
the grammar or
spelling may
interfere or
distract the reader
from the content.

Does not
demonstrate
sentence mastery.
Does not utilize
precise or specific
vocabulary.
Demonstrates
limited
understanding of
grade level
conventions;
errors interfere
with readability
and distract the
reader from the
content.