What CART Is
The Critical / Analytical Response to Text (CART) asks you to explain the relationship between the author and the text. What idea does the author develop about the diploma topic? How do the writing choices develop that idea? Your task differs from a Personal Response (PRTT).
Choose one text. You might follow a character’s transformation, examine how the writer’s craft choices work together, or build an argument about a theme. Whichever approach you use, explain how the author’s choices support each claim.
What CART Is Not
| Not this | Why it fails |
| Plot summary | Retelling events leaves out what they mean and how the author presents them. |
| Personal reaction | Personal reactions belong in PRTT. In CART, explain how the author develops an idea about the topic through the text. |
| Theme label only | "The text is about revenge" is not an argument. |
Five Rubric Categories
Thought and Understanding
How well you understand the text: ideas range from superficial to insightful. Your thesis states the understanding you will develop.
Shapes the rest
Supporting Evidence
Choose precise evidence and explain how it supports your claim. Aim for 70% analysis and 30% evidence.
Form and Structure
Give each paragraph a clear job in proving your thesis, and order the paragraphs so each one develops your argument and builds on the reasoning before it.
Matters of Choice
Choose words carefully. Write sentences that make your analysis clear and direct.
Matters of Correctness
Keep grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation accurate so readers can follow complex ideas.