PaperGrades

How Papers Are Graded:

Letter grades on your papers will be based on the following: originality; organization; focus; and overall clarity. As you generate strategies for writing and revision this semester, keep in mind that I look for papers that demonstrate your own thoughts, not merely what you think I want to read. The following criteria for grades are provided to give you a basic idea of how I will evaluate your prose.

“ A” Papers (includes “A-”)

The organization, development, and mechanics of an A or A- paper is carefully and insightfully conceived. It thoughtfully analyzes and attempts to interpret the subject at hand, giving convincing examples, paraphrases, and quotations from the text/s as proof, instead of just offering up ideas without “textual evidence” or quotes without comment from you, the author of the paper. “A/A-” papers link ideas and develop them in fresh, imaginative ways that advance the argument or focus of the writing. These papers are marked by stylistic finesse, especially in transitions, phrasing, sentence structures, diction, and tone. Furthermore, these papers most often reference ideas and themes that we have discussed in class and/or that have been brought up within other course readings; these papers typically demonstrate the depth and thoroughness of your understanding of the concepts we have covered thus far, as well as your ability to apply that knowledge to the argument within your paper. While this is an excellent grade, if this is your first paper grade, it certainly wouldn't hurt to utilize the writing center to ensure continued success.

“ B” Papers (includes “B+” and “B-”)

A paper within the “B+/B/B-” range is significantly more than competent. Its specific points are logically ordered, well developed, and unified around a clear organizing principle that is apparent early in the paper. The language and ideas of a “B+/B/B-” paper is more concise and precise than the content of papers in the “C” range; at the same time, “B+/B/B-” papers often do not develop their ideas with as much detail, balance, and/or originality as do papers in the “A” range, and they generally lack as much “textual evidence” and/or careful analysis and interpretation of quotes and examples given from the text. These papers also typically make some general reference to ideas brought up in class discussions and/or readings, evidencing your overall understanding and awareness of the concepts you are applying to your argument. While this is certainly a good grade, if you receive this grade on your first paper and would like to ensure the same or better on your second paper, I would recommend that you consider utilizing the use of the writing center!

“ C” Papers (includes “C+ and “C-” )

A paper within the “ C+/C/C-” range is generally competent: it meets the basic requirements of the assignment and is reasonably well organized and developed. However, the presentation of the thesis or argument and/or the development of the subject matter could often be improved or made more clear; furthermore, the actual information the paper presents needs to be elaborated upon more concretely and with greater attention to detail. A “C+/C/C-” paper needs to move away from abstractions and toward concrete particulars. Stylistically, a “C+/C/C-” paper needs significant improvement, especially in its transitions, phrasing, sentence structures, diction, and tone. Furthermore, it usually tends to lack proper or convincing, if any, “textual evidence” and/or interpretation or analysis of the text/s at hand. Most often, these papers lack much, if any, reference to ideas brought up in class discussions and/or readings and do not tend to apply such concepts within the argument/s of the paper, indicating a lack of understanding of the concepts learned in class up to that point. If you make this grade on your first paper, it would help you greatly to make use of the writing center!

“ D” Papers

The characteristics of a "D" paper commonly include a lack of any clear thesis or argument; a rudimentary treatment and development of its subject matter; an obvious lack of flow; unclear or ineffective organization; and ambiguous and/or mechanically flawed sentences. Evidence of proofreading either is scant or missing. A "D" paper often does not demonstrate that it is fully engaged with the requirements of the assignment. These papers lack any reference to ideas brought up in class discussions and/or readings and make it clear that the writer does not understand the concepts learned in class up to that point. If you get this grade for your first paper, I HIGHLY recommend that A) you make an appointment with me and B) make use of the writing center to also help you in the writing of your draft and revision!

“ F” Papers

An “F” paper has no clear thesis, argument, or development of subject matter, and it offers little or no detail and commentary on its subject matter. Its main points often are confusing and unorganized. Mechanical errors are frequent and demonstrate a dramatic need for improvement. The ideas, organization, and style of an “F” paper fall far below acceptable standards for college-level writing. It is also evident from such papers that the student has either not been doing the assigned reading and work up to this point or has not understood the concepts being taught in the course. If you get this grade for your first paper, I REQUIRE that you make an appointment with me, and I HIGHLY SUGGEST that you make frequent use of the writing center to help you in the writing of your draft and revision!