________A
(90-100): This is a fairly sophisticated
piece of writing that is unusually persuasive and/or informative. The introduction grabs the reader’s attention
and contains a clearly stated thesis.
The writer demonstrates a somewhat masterful use of writing techniques
and language sensitive to the audience and purpose for writing. Supporting paragraphs are thoroughly and
vividly supported with concrete examples, logical arguments, and thorough
explanations. Examples are well chosen
and appropriate, only used to support points in supporting paragraphs. Supporting quotes and indirect references are
well blended with no more than twenty percent of the paper quoted. All examples support the thesis of the paper
and topic of the paragraph. Sound
organization is evident through coherence and unity. The paper contains an adequately developed
introduction, supporting paragraphs with topic sentences, and a conclusion that
restates the main ideas. Only
minor errors in mechanics, grammar, and spelling are present. The paper employs the proper point of view
and verb tense, has no/minor errors in the citing of sources, and follows a majority
of the MLA guidelines with direct quotes used for primary source and both
summaries and direct quotes used for secondary sources.
________B
(80-89): This writing is persuasive
and/or informative. The introduction is
adequately developed and contains a stated thesis. Supporting paragraphs are adequately supported
and most supporting examples maintain unity in the paper. The writer demonstrates thought through
meaning, but the supporting evidence may contain instances of vagueness,
imprecise language, illogical order, or inadequately supported reasoning. Supporting quotes and indirect references
are evident but some may have minor problems with blending or with being
properly cited. Some sources or quotes
may not be well chosen and no more than twenty percent of the paper is
quoted. The paper contains an introduction,
supporting paragraphs with topic sentences, and a conclusion that restates the
main ideas. Sentence structure is mostly
correct but may contain instances of passive voice being overused and not
enough use of active verbs. Only
minimal errors in mechanics, grammar, and spelling are present. The paper employs the proper point of view
with only minor distractions, has no/minor errors in the citing of sources, and
follows MLA guidelines with only minor errors with direct quotes
primarily used for the primary source and both summaries and direct quotes used
for secondary sources.
________C or D (70-79): This writing is somewhat persuasive and/or informative. The introduction is present with a main idea being implied but may need work on the thesis statement or overall development. Supporting paragraphs are inadequately supported to communicate purpose or meaning; supporting evidence contains instances of vagueness, imprecise language, illogical order, or inadequately supported reasoning with errors or oversights. The paper does not always analyze and may have a tendency to summarize. Too much of the paper is quoted leaving little opportunity for analysis by the writer or explanation of the quotes. The writing techniques are limited, suggesting inadequate planning, misunderstanding of audience or purpose, or comprehension of primary source is inadequate. Quotes are not properly blended and some may not support discussion. Quotes are not properly blended and integrated into the discussion; some quotes are not carefully chosen and do not support the topic. There is an obvious lack of craftsmanship or attention to quality, which may include the following: lack of a clearly stated thesis; or a poorly developed/lacking introduction, body or conclusion; poor paragraph structure and continuity; poor sentence structure; major errors in mechanics, grammar, and spelling; lack of formal third person point of view; major errors and/or omission in the citing of sources; many errors with MLA guidelines may also be a problem.
_________
F (60-69): The work is ineffective
and/or incomplete. There is no effective
effort to engage and sustain the interest of the audience. Supporting ideas lack minimal support of
logical and factual arguments and/or well-chosen examples. There is little or no evidence of simplifying
and explaining material. There is an
obvious lack of craftsmanship or attention to quality, which may include the following:
lack of a clearly stated thesis; or a poorly developed/lacking introduction,
body or conclusion; poor paragraph structure and continuity; lack of adequate
development; major errors in mechanics, grammar, and spelling; lack of formal
third person point of view and verb tense problems; major errors and/or
omission in the citing of sources; many errors with MLA guidelines and failure
to follow directions for the assignment, including no works cited page, proper
number and type of sources.