GRADING OF ESSAYS AND OTHER
WRITTEN WORK
Originality and personal effort are stressed in
all student written work. Plagiarism-the unacknowledged use of research
sources (books, articles, etc.), commercial paper-writing services, other
student papers or ideas, etc.-may result in failing the assignment and,
at the discretion of the instructor, the entire course. All in-class essays,
papers, essay exams, and other student writing are evaluated taking into
account the distinctions described below. In general, work of average
quality, honorably meeting minimum requirements, will receive grades in
the C-C+ range. Only work demonstrating clearly superior to outstanding
effort and initiative, originality, creativity, and unusual degree of understanding
and accomplishment will be awarded grades in the B and A ranges.
The A Grade
Outstanding essays feature a well-defined and manageable
thesis, highly specific and relevant evidence, and accurate and insightful
analysis. Arguments and evidence are carefully arranged and organized around
central ideas lending support to the main thesis. All points are clearly
and sufficiently motivated, explained, supported, and developed. The arguments
and observations reveal not only close attention to details but also awareness
of and ability to exploit nuances of form and signification. Whenever necessary,
while probing the evidence and assessing the implications of the analysis,
the writer appropriately qualifies the main and subsidiary theses. The A
essay is an example of sound, independent, and penetrating thinking where
analysis prevails over mere paraphrase or the reporting of commonplace ideas.
This essay is very well written, elegant in style, and free of spelling,
grammatical, and syntactical errors. The outstanding essay draws the relevant
implications of its arguments and opens up avenues for further thought and
reflection.
The B Grade
The superior essay shows a good understanding of
the issues raised and adequately relates them to the textual evidence. The
writer makes effective arguments and marshals appropriate and adequate support
in the form of properly discussed examples and illustrations. The argument
is of sufficient length, has a clear focus, and balances the general with
the specific, as well as analysis with paraphrase. This type of essay shows
a very good effort at organization, is clearly written, and is free of major
errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax. The B essay differs from the A
essay in its degree of specificity, engagement of evidence, quality of reasoning,
depth of vision, and overall balance in the handling of all aspects of the
arguments. The writer of the B essay may show a certain tendency to ride
on the strength of a particular point or observation at the expense of a
fuller, richer, and more in-depth development/support of the ideas under
consideration. This essay generally does not merit an A not so much because
of what it does but because of what it doesn't do.
The C Grade
The average essay shows an adequate awareness of
the nature of the problem or thesis under consideration. While showing some
weakness in focusing and controlling the argument, it makes no major errors
in understanding the texts involved and reveals a competent ability to relate
general issues to particular examples and illustrations. The writer may
overlook important aspects of the evidence, neglect to use pertinent examples,
or not go far enough in interpreting and analyzing the text(s). The ideas
chosen may exhibit a certain dependence on points raised and developed in
class or other outside sources. Overall, this essay shows a need for development,
clarification, and precision in the handling of textual evidence; its structure
and organization may seem mechanical, loose, and somewhat random. This essay
often tends to privilege paraphrase over analysis and may contain a number
of errors in spelling, syntax, and grammar.
The D Grade
The D or below-average essay does not clearly identify
its thesis; relies on unsubstantiated opinion; neglects to offer relevant
evidence; or is analytically superficial and poorly organized. In general,
such an essay often fails to meaningfully engage the text(s) in its own
thinking process; is too short; and may seriously misread/misinterpret a
text. The inadequacies of its language and reasoning substantially compromise
the integrity of its analysis and the expression of its ideas.
The F Grade
The F grade is used in cases where an essay is illogical
or incoherent; exhibits gross incongruities between the thesis and the evidence
used to support it; seems incapable of distinguishing between the general
and the specific; shows no discernible pattern of organization; is very
poorly developed; or is marred by the frequent occurrence of major errors
in writing.