CRITERIA FOR GRADING
ESSAY 1: FICTION
ESSAY 2: FICTION
ESSAY 3: POETRY
A. THESIS
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You did not provide a thesis.
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You assumed a thesis but did not state it. Or you stated a thesis, but
the thesis was vague or too broad.
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You provided an adequate thesis.
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You provided an outstanding thesis that cogently sets up your analysis.
B. DEVELOPMENT
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You had neither topic sentences nor logical development.
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a. You had topic sentences, but they were not logical.
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b. You had logical development, but you did not provide topic sentences.
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a. You had topic sentences, but they did not support your thesis.
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b. You had topic sentences, but they were too broad.
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You had both topic sentences and logical development. These provide a competent
but uninspired framework for your description.
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You had excellent topic sentences and logical development.
C. DETAIL
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a. You provide no supporting details and quotations from the work you were
analyzing.
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b. You provide details and quotations in an apparently random order.
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a. You provide some details and quotations, but they are too general and
vague.
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b. You provide some details and quotations, but too many do not belong
where you place them.
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You provide generally provide details and quotations in the proper places
and provide a general picture of what you are analyzing.
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Your use of details and quotations clearly, effectively, and aptly supports
your argument.
D. WRITING THE ESSAY
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Your essay lacks coherence and cohesion. Transitions are ineffective. The
paragraphs read like a list, with no connection between the sentences.
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The paragraphs have a general focus, but some sentences are unrelated.
Coherence, cohesion, and transitions need work.
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Paragraphs are generally well developed with fewer than three problems
of focus, unity, or coherence. Transitions may be a bit forced.
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Paragraphs are focused, unified, and coherent. Transitions are logical
and effective.
E. GRAMMAR
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You exceeded the maximum allowable number of serious grammatical mistakes
(10), automatically dropping your grade to an "F."
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You had 7-9 grammatical errors.
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You had 4-6 errors.
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You had 1-3 errors.
RESEARCH PAPER
DRAMA ESSAY
A. THESIS
-
You did not provide a thesis.
-
You assumed a thesis but did not state it. Or you stated a thesis, but
the thesis was vague or too broad.
-
You provided an adequate thesis.
-
You provided an outstanding thesis that cogently sets up your analysis.
B. DEVELOPMENT
-
You had neither topic sentences nor logical development.
-
a. You had topic sentences, but they were not logical.
-
b. You had logical development, but you did not provide topic sentences.
-
-
a. You had topic sentences, but they did not support your thesis.
-
b. You had topic sentences, but they were too broad.
-
You had both topic sentences and logical development. These provide a competent
but uninspired framework for your description.
-
You had excellent topic sentences and logical development.
C. DETAIL
-
-
a. You provide no supporting details and quotations from the work you were
analyzing.
-
b. You provide details and quotations in an apparently random order.
-
-
a. You provide some details and quotations, but they are too general and
vague.
-
b. You provide some details and quotations, but too many do not belong
where you place them.
-
You provide generally provide details and quotations in the proper places
and provide a general picture of what you are analyzing.
-
Your use of details and quotations clearly, effectively, and aptly supports
your argument.
D. USING RESEARCH MATERIALS
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a. You did not use research materials in your paper.
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b. You abused research materials.
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You used research materials in a manner that demonstrated a lack of mastery
of them. Examples of this are quotations that do not support the argument
you are tying to make and strings of quotations that run on too long.
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You use materials in a competent but uninspired way to support your argument.
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You smoothly integrate the research materials you use into your argument.
E. WRITING THE ESSAY
-
Your essay lacks coherence and cohesion. Transitions are ineffective. The
paragraphs read like a list, with no connection between the sentences.
-
The paragraphs have a general focus, but some sentences are unrelated.
Coherence, cohesion, and transitions need work.
-
Paragraphs are generally well developed with fewer than three problems
of focus, unity, or coherence. Transitions may be a bit forced.
-
Paragraphs are focused, unified, and coherent. Transitions are logical
and effective.
F. GRAMMAR
-
You exceeded the maximum allowable number of serious grammatical mistakes
(10), automatically dropping your grade to an "F."
-
You had 7-9 grammatical errors.
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You had 4-6 errors.
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You had 1-3 errors.