GRADING CRITERIA FOR ALL ASSIGNMENTS 2000-LEVEL AND ABOVE 

The criteria below have been developed and approved by the English faculty and will be used in the assessment of writing in all 2000-level and above English courses.

Note: A passing grade on any assignment first assumes competence in the mechanics of standard written English. 

 

C         To earn a “C,” a student must

• Respond to the constraints of the assignment.

• Focus on the topic.

• Provide a clear thesis.

• Maintain a tone appropriate for a scholarly audience.

• Order essay logically, from sentence to sentence, paragraph to paragraph, idea to idea.

• Provide sufficient evidence and detail throughout the essay.

• Have sufficient control of standard written English and MLA guidelines such that errors, including any in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting, if present, do not cause serious confusion and/or distraction.

• Provide adequate, reliable, and relevant secondary documentation, where applicable.

• Demonstrate an understanding of context and purpose in relating secondary sources to paper’s claims/ideas.

• Exhibit nearly error-free incorporation of documentation into the body of the essay.

B         To earn a “B,” a student must meet the minimum requirements for a “C” essay plus

• Provide a well-framed and insightful thesis.

• Recognize complexities and show evidence of serious consideration of the topic.

• Support most points with appropriate, well-analyzed examples and intelligent arguments.

• Show logical development and organization throughout.

• Offer writing that is relatively free of grammatical and technical errors.

• Provide substantive and relevant documentation, where applicable, in support of most claims/ideas.

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of context and purpose in relating secondary sources to paper’s claims/ideas where applicable.

• Exhibit error-free and varied incorporation of documentation into the body of the essay.

A         To earn an “A,” a student must meet the minimum requirements for a “B” essay plus:

·        Provide a sophisticated thesis that demonstrates independent thinking.

·        Support all claims/ideas with appropriate, fully analyzed examples and compelling, insightful arguments.

·        Show persuasive logical development and organization throughout.

·        Maintain a distinctive voice and consistent viewpoint that incorporates interesting and varied style.

·        Provide secondary sources, where applicable, that demonstrate independent research in the field.

·        Enter into meaningful dialogue with secondary sources, such that the student is not just proving someone else’s point but developing original ideas in relation to research material.  

D         A “D” grade results from

·        Failing to respond clearly to the assignment, or

·        A lack of qualities listed under the minimum requirements for a “C,” or

·        Insufficient control of standard written English, resulting in substantial errors that cause confusion or incoherence.

F          An “F” grade results from

·        Two or more of the faults listed in “D” above.