Clear understanding of the text, as exemplified in careful paraphrasing of the
text and explanation of textual citations.
Close examination of particular sections of the text; a good rule of thumb is to
have about 2-3 quotes/paragraph. The best essays will be those that focus very
closely on just a few key aspects of the texts. The more specific you can be—and
the more closely you can look at moments and key passages from the text—the
better.
A developed thesis that tells the reader how this text sheds light on
important issues.
A logical organization in which each paragraph clearly advances a distinct
point and builds upon the last to pursue a larger claim.
Grammatically and mechanically correct writing and thoughtful word choice.
