Helping Writers Take Flight
Sonia Jolliffe
Teacher Inquiry Project
TE 848
Michigan State University
third flight:
taking on terza rima
soaring to sonnets
offering feedback with rubrics
Creating the rubric used to assess student sonnets was a process that involved examining a number of the critical components of rubrics presented in the literature that I examined as part of my research process. The rubric assessed student sonnets on the criteria of rhyme scheme, meter, structure, language and sound, and imagery. Each criterion was assessed on a scale from 1 (Needs Improvement) to 4 (Excellent).
Rhyme Scheme:
4- Poem is highly successful in following sonnet rhyme scheme. Rhymes are natural.
3- Poem successfully follows sonnet rhyme scheme. The majority of rhymes do not seem forced.
2- Poem follows sonnet rhyme scheme. Several rhymes are forced.
1- Poem does not follow sonnet rhyme scheme.
Language and Sound:
4- Poem employs effective and concrete, specific language, skillfully utilizing such devices as alliteration, consonance and assonance.
3- Poem is written with effective, specific language and makes use of sound devices such as alliteration, consonance and assonance in at least three places.
2- Poem uses language that clearly communicates the subject and tone. Little or no use is made of sound devices.
1- Poem uses mundane, vague, or confusing language.
Meter:
4- Poem is highly successful in using iambic pentameter.
3- Poem successfully uses pentameter, generally iambic, though some lines contain misplaced stressed syllables.
2- Poem attempts to use iambic pentameter but contains multiple lines with errors in syllables and/or stress.
1- Poem does not follow iambic pentameter.
Imagery:
4- Poem uses effective imagery to convey its subject in a detailed manner. Devices such as simile, metaphor, and allusion are employed throughout.
3- Poem uses effective imagery to convey its subject. Devices such as simile, metaphor, and allusion are employed at least three times.
2- Poem attempts to use imagery to convey its subject with detail. Few literary devices are employed.
1- Poem does not provide effective imagery and provides minimal description.
Structure:
4- Poem follows sonnet structure, effectively incorporating a clear volta and, if appropriate, closing couplet.
3- Poem follows sonnet structure. There is a clear volta.
2- Poem attempts to follow sonnet structure. Volta is either unclear or ineffective.
1- Poem does not follow sonnet structure.