Performance Assessment: Personal Analysis Essay

Personal Analysis Essay Introduction

This module will ask you to practice the stages of the writing process.  You will develop an essay about your personal experiences as a student, to be finalized by the end of this module.

Photo of four hands holding red pencils at each corner of the photo, so that a square is formed in the central negative spaceYou are participating in this module through the Enhancement Center at Cerritos College because you withdrew from an English course.  This essay will ask you to examine the reasons why you withdrew–both the immediate life circumstances and the larger factors that might have been at play.  You will also plan for success techniques that will ensure you’re able to re-enter the course and complete it next term.

The thesis for this essay will identify the primary factors that led to your withdrawal, and anticipate the way you’ll prepare for succeeding next term.  The thesis will be supported in the body of the essay with evidence demonstrating why you withdrew and what will be different next term.

Assignment Details

Look for the Try It pages along the way to help you complete the Personal Analysis Essay.  The Try It activities will engage you in each step of the writing process.

The final essay will be 500-750 words long.  It will include a thesis statement that is supported by evidence.  It will be well-organized, and display evidence of careful application of the writing process.

Rubric

In order to successfully complete this assessment, a submitted essay must reach “Meets or Exceeds Expectations” in all categories.

Criteria Ratings
Topic & Thesis Statement Meets or Exceeds Expectations

  • essay topic has been personalized to refine the assignment prompt
  • contains a clearly identifiable thesis statement that drives the essay content
 Approaching Expectations

  • essay topic is a generic answer to the assignment prompt
  • contains a thesis statement that relates to most essay content
 Does Not Meet Expectations

  • essay topic does not match the assignment prompt
  • does not contain a thesis statement, or thesis statement does not relate to most essay content
Evidence Meets or Exceeds Expectations

  • sufficient and varied evidence provided to justify the thesis statement
 Approaching Expectations

  • insufficient evidence provided to justify the thesis statement
 Does Not Meet Expectations

  • no evidence provided, or evidence does not justify the thesis statement
Organization Meets or Exceeds Expectations

  • contains a clearly identifiable introduction, body section, and conclusion
  • follows a logical pattern of development
  • applies transitions effectively
 Approaching Expectations

  • contains an introduction, and/or body section, and/or conclusion
  • has a pattern of development, but needs further attention to paragraphing
  • insufficient use of transitions
 Does Not Meet Expectations

  • missing introduction, body section, or conclusion elements
  • no clear pattern of development
  • little to no use of transitions
Editing and Proofreading Meets or Exceeds Expectations

  • evidence that higher-order editing concerns have been identified and addressed
  • evidence that lower-order proofreading concerns have been identified and addressed, though minor patterns of error might remain
 Approaching Expectations

  • higher-order editing concerns may not have been addressed
  • lower-order editing concerns may not have been addressed.  Significant patterns of error remain.
 Does Not Meet Expectations

  • fundamental issues with higher-order editing concerns present in draft
  • fundamental issues with lower-order editing concerns present in draft