Does the essay demonstrate strong understanding of the lyric essay genre? In other words, does the piece look, sound, feel, etc. like a lyric essay due to the author’s manipulation of the genre’s common formal devices? Has the author used those common formal devices to create an engaging, creative, and perhaps even surprising lyric essay?
If research is included, is there enough to inform the audience(s) on key subject dimensions? Is the research included well-selected, given the author’s compositional goals? Is the research well-integrated (braided) with the essay’s personal narrative, if personal narrative is a component in the essay?
Is the level of technical detail appropriate for the intended audience(s) and the genre?
If images/graphics are included, are they well-composed and integrated effectively?
Organization
Is the essay well-sequenced to both grip readers and “build out” the exploration? (Remember, lyric essays often dramatize the mind at work on a topic, leaping to and from various, often surprising, areas of content. They are almost never conventional in their movement down the page.)
If the essay is broken into sections/”mosaic tile” paragraphs, are they the right ones? Are they sequenced effectively?
Are headings utilized for sections (or even paragraphs) if it will enhance the reading experience? Are they the right headings?
Are paragraphs unified? Are they clear?
If images/graphics are included, are they placed well in the essay, integrated at the right points?
Style & Mechanics
Are tone, syntax, and word choice appropriate for the genre and intended audience(s)?
Is the voice (the style of thought) consistent throughout?
Is the essay free of grammatical errors?
Is wording clear throughout?
Is highlighting (italics, bold, underlining, bullets, white space, etc.) used effectively, if it’s an element, to enhance readability or the artistry of the essay?
If citable research has been done, are in-text citations/the works cited in appropriate MLA format?
Last Completed Projects
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