WORLD LITERATURE PROGRAM
GRADING SHEET FOR OUTCOMES-ASSESSMENT ESSAYS
In the grading of outcomes-assessment essays, instructors follow the grading
standards, criteria, and guidelines set forth by the College of Arts &
Sciences, the English Department, and the World Literature Program. In the
grading of outcomes-assessment final exams, instructors observe the distinctions
defined in the program's document Grading of Essays
and Other Written Work and fill out a grading sheet for each essay.
The completed sheet is attached to the front of the essay.
CONTENT
Grade:_______
Does the essay answer the question and follow the guidelines given in the
assignment? Does the essay have a clear thesis and thematic focus? Does
the essay take a clear stance with respect to its subject matter? Does the
student seem to understand the chosen theme, given passages, and the evidence
presented? Does the essay demonstrate a reasonably deep and complex understanding
of the themes and texts handled? Does the essay demonstrate intellectual
sophistication and awareness of facts, cultural/historical backgrounds,
different interpretations, etc.? Does the essay demonstrate an awareness
of, and respect for, the values of different cultural/intellectual traditions?
Does the essay accomplish a synthesis of different ways of thinking and
strands of thought? Is the essay objective and unbiased or does it feature
prejudice, bias, or excessive subjectivity? Is the essay detailed and analytically
significant or is it a mere superficial paraphrase/plot summary of texts?
Is the essay a piece of original and independent work?
REASONING, ORGANIZATION, & DEVELOPMENT
Grade:_______
Is the essay intelligently, logically, and reasonably argued? Does the essay
offer evidence in support of its claims? Does it offer details and specific
observations to substantiate general claims and observations? Does the essay's
organization reveal an orderly and logical structuring and sequencing of
thoughts? Does the essay distinguish clearly between main and subsidiary
ideas/arguments/evidence? Are observations and arguments well motivated
and relevant to the proposed thesis? Is the essay well-organized and tightly
argued or does its appear to be a collection of disorganized, random, barely
related or unrelated observations? Is the essay well-developed, sufficiently
and convincingly argued? Does it draw the relevant, logical conclusions/
implications?
LANGUAGE, FORM, AND STYLE
Grade:_______
Is the essay written in clear, direct, lucid language and an unobtrusive,
elegant style? Is the language of the essay reasonably correct and sophisticated?
Does the essay avoid grammatical, syntactical, and other mechanical errors?
Is the essay formatted, written, and documented according to acceptable
standards of college-level writing? Are individual paragraphs within the
essay fully developed as self-contained units of thought and argument? Does
the essay demonstrate command, understanding, and precise usage of its own
language as well as of technical and literary terminology and concepts?
Overall Grade:_______