Checklist for Author Letters

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Checklist for Author Letters
adapted from teaching materials at http://www.lettersaboutliterature.org/lesson_plans

See the teacher scoring rubric at http://cavemanenglish.pbworks.com/Rubric-for-Letter-to-an-Author

I. . Content

• Purpose: Does the letter address the essay's theme -- describing how a work of literature somehow changed the reader's view of the world or self?
• Audience: Does the reader demonstrate a knowledge of his or her audience?  In other words, is the writer addressing the author and not the teacher or others?
• Supporting Details:  Does the letter provide explanations or examples, anecdotes, or other specific details to support the reader's point of view?

II. Reader Response/Originallity and Expression

• Does the reader dialogue wit the author rather than summarizing the book's plot or analyzing literary elements within the book?
• Does the reader correspond with the author rather than compliment?
• Is vocabulary smooth and natural rather than "tongue-tied" or showy?

III. Organization and Grammatical Correctness

• Does the reader present ideas in a logical, organized manner without unnecessary repetition?
• What organizational strategy (internal text structure) does the writer use?
• chronological order if relating a story
• cause-and-effect
• compare/contrast
• steps in a process
• other: _____________________________________
• Does the essay have bookends -- an introduction or lead paragraph that hooks the reader plus a concluding paragraph that may or may not mirror the opening paragraph?
• Has the reader proofread the letter for errors of spelling, capitalization,  and punctuation?