D: Pure paraphrase or an attempt at close reading that has almost no quotes and/or strays into personal opinion unrelated to the language of the passage.
C: A good faith stab at close reading. Identifies an issue beyond the characters and connects the issue to a series of related quotes. Might not make an argument about the value judgment a reader is asked to make, makes a seriously unconvincing argument, or does a decent job with a very obvious topic.
B: Clearly identifies a reader's value judgment beyond the characters' view. Makes a strong case for a relatively easy topic, or makes a decent case for a more challenging topic. Might have an occasional major point unsupported by a quote or a quote that does not do what the argument claims it does.
A: Clearly identifies a reader's value judgment beyond the characters' view. Makes a strong case for a challenging topic, consistently using appropriate quotes to support major points.
NB: The most convincing quotes tend to be shorter; the point of close reading is to catch the subtle nuances of how a text is put together, which usually means paying attention to individual words and phrases.
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