Macbeth Extended Literary Paragraph Writing Diagnostic
Names: _____________________________________
Learning Goal:
For this writing assignment, you and two other students are going to concentrate on your ability to
effectively write an extended literary paragraph.

The question does not ask you for your opinion, but rather instructs you to take a specific
position and argue it.

Examine the play studied thus far when considering your answer.

Ensure that the first sentence clearly states the answer to the question and reveals the
argument the rest of the paragraph will prove. Summarize the connection between your
points rather than listing them.

Use quotations from the play to illustrate the validity of your points.

Explain the significance of EACH example. Prove your points in logical, defendable
interpretations of the information.

Briefly sum up.
Topic: Prove Macbeth is not ultimately responsible for the murder of Duncan.
Success Criteria:
1. Exemplar – Review on the back
2. Checklist:
 Graphic organizer
 Outline
 Hand-written rough draft
 Self and peer edit for content
 Self and peer proofread for style and mechanics
 Complete final copy
 Present final copy to peers for descriptive feedback
3. Assessment for Learning:
*See peer and self checklist and rubric
Self Assessment 1:
 Paragraph includes topic sentence which clearly answers the question posed
 3 quotations from the play are used
 Quotations are integrated using an effective signal phrase, rather than dropped in
 Quotations are referenced in the format of (Act, Scene, Lines)
 Concluding statement clearly restates overall point
 All interpretations are thorough
 All thoughts and ideas are connected
 Standard spelling/grammar/paragraph conventions are adhered to
Self Assessment 2:
 Paragraph includes topic sentence which clearly answers the question posed
 3 quotations from the play are used
 Quotations are integrated using an effective signal phrase, rather than dropped in
 Quotations are referenced in the format of (Act, Scene, Lines)
 Concluding statement clearly restates overall point
 All interpretations are thorough
 All thoughts and ideas are connected
 Standard spelling/grammar/paragraph conventions are adhered to
Self Assessment 3:
 Paragraph includes topic sentence which clearly answers the question posed
 3 quotations from the play are used
 Quotations are integrated using an effective signal phrase, rather than dropped in
 Quotations are referenced in the format of (Act, Scene, Lines)
 Concluding statement clearly restates overall point
 All interpretations are thorough
 All thoughts and ideas are connected
 Standard spelling/grammar/paragraph conventions are adhered to
Peer Assessment:
 Paragraph includes topic sentence which clearly answers the question posed
 3 quotations from the play are used
 Quotations are integrated using an effective signal phrase, rather than dropped in
 Quotations are referenced in the format of (Act, Scene, Lines)
 Concluding statement clearly restates overall point
 All interpretations are thorough
 All thoughts and ideas are connected
 Standard spelling/grammar/paragraph conventions are adhered to
Macbeth Extended Literary Paragraph Writing Diagnostic Rubric
“R”
Analysis
Analyse literary texts by
applying key literary
concepts
Support
Select and use specific and
relevant evidence from
texts to support
interpretation, analyses
and arguments
Format
*Apply knowledge of
paragraph structure
Expression
Revise written work with a
focus on clear expression
and consistent use of the
language structures of
standard Canadian English
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4-
Analysis of play
is interesting
with some
depth of
thought.
Quotations
support
interpretation
and are
somewhat
effective.
Analysis of
play is
interesting
with depth of
thought.
Quotations
support
interpretation
s and are
effective.
Analysis of play is
thought provoking and
insightful
Analysis of play is
original, thorough,
thought provoking
and insightful
Quotations support
interpretations, are
introduced and
explained and are
generally effective
Proper paragraph
format is followed
to an acceptable
degree but with
several omissions
Proper
paragraph
format is
followed with
minor
omissions
Proper
paragraph and
MLA format is
followed.
Proper paragraph and
MLA format is
followed. Rhetorical
devices are used to
enhance the style of
writing.
Required language
conventions used
with some accuracy
though mistakes
affect legibility of
thought
Required
conventions
used with some
accuracy –
mistakes do not
affect legibility
of thought.
Required
language
conventions
used
appropriately.
Required language
conventions used with
considerable accuracy
and effectiveness,
vocabulary is chosen
for effect.
Quotations support
interpretation very
well, are introduced
and explained very
well and are
generally extremely
effective.
Proper paragraph
and MLA format is
followed. Rhetorical
devices are used to
enhance the style of
writing extremely
effectively.
Required language
conventions used
accurately and
effectively at all
times. Writing is a
pleasure to read.
Analysis of
play does not
meet
requirements
Analysis of play is
interesting with
limited depth of
thought
Quotations do
not support
interpretation
or are not
present in the
paragraph
Quotations support
interpretation and
are effective to a
limited degree
Proper
paragraph
format is not
followed to an
acceptable
degree.
Language and
structures do
not meet
minimum
standards.
Level 4+
Comments:
Macbeth Extended Literary Paragraph Writing Diagnostic Rubric
“R”
Analysis
Analyse literary texts by
applying key literary
concepts
Support
Select and use specific and
relevant evidence from
texts to support
interpretation, analyses
and arguments
Format
*Apply knowledge of
paragraph structure
Expression
Revise written work with a
focus on clear expression
and consistent use of the
language structures of
standard Canadian English
Comments:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4-
Analysis of play
is interesting
with some
depth of
thought.
Quotations
support
interpretation
and are
somewhat
effective.
Analysis of
play is
interesting
with depth of
thought.
Quotations
support
interpretation
s and are
effective.
Analysis of play is
thought provoking and
insightful
Analysis of play is
original, thorough,
thought provoking
and insightful
Quotations support
interpretations, are
introduced and
explained and are
generally effective
Proper paragraph
format is followed
to an acceptable
degree but with
several omissions
Proper
paragraph
format is
followed with
minor
omissions
Proper
paragraph and
MLA format is
followed.
Proper paragraph and
MLA format is
followed. Rhetorical
devices are used to
enhance the style of
writing.
Required language
conventions used
with some accuracy
though mistakes
affect legibility of
thought
Required
conventions
used with some
accuracy –
mistakes do not
affect legibility
of thought.
Required
language
conventions
used
appropriately.
Required language
conventions used with
considerable accuracy
and effectiveness,
vocabulary is chosen
for effect.
Quotations support
interpretation very
well, are introduced
and explained very
well and are
generally extremely
effective.
Proper paragraph
and MLA format is
followed. Rhetorical
devices are used to
enhance the style of
writing extremely
effectively.
Required language
conventions used
accurately and
effectively at all
times. Writing is a
pleasure to read.
Analysis of
play does not
meet
requirements
Analysis of play is
interesting with
limited depth of
thought
Quotations do
not support
interpretation
or are not
present in the
paragraph
Quotations support
interpretation and
are effective to a
limited degree
Proper
paragraph
format is not
followed to an
acceptable
degree.
Language and
structures do
not meet
minimum
standards.
Level 4+