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, 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 following distinctions:
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 somebody else's 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.