ENGLISH 303 ESSAY CRITERIA

1. You did not provide a proposal.
2. Weak proposal
   
• a. You assumed a proposal but did not state it.
• b. You stated a proposal, but it was vague or too broad.
• c. You stated a general solution, but did not provide your audience with a specific action to take.
• d. You provided an audience with a proposal, but there is some question whether your audience an act on it.
• e. If the audience followed your recommendation, it would not have the desired effect.
3. You provided an adequate proposal.
4. You provided an outstanding proposal will probably bring about the change you desire.

1. You did not address an audience.
• a. Your audience was too broad (for example, you addressed the "readers of Time).
• b. You started with one audience, but switched to another one.
2. You had a weak audience.
   
3. Your audience was fairly well defined.
4. Your audience was well defined and you did an excellent job of addressing it.

1. 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.
2. Weak development
   
• c. You had topic sentences, but they did not support your thesis.
• d. You had topic sentences that did not address the self-interest of your audience.
3. You had both topic sentences and logical development. These provide a competent but uninspired framework for your argument.
4. You had excellent topic sentences and logical development.

1. No support
   
• a. You provide no support.
• b. You provide support in an apparently random order.
2. Weak Support
   
• a. You provide some support, but it is too general and vague.
• b. You provide some support, but too many do not belong where you place them.
• c. Your support is of the "crank" variety; i.e., it is unreflective and uninformed and simply reflects popular stereotypes on the subject rather than careful research.
3. You provide support in the proper places and give a basic case for your argument.
4. Your support is clear and provides a forceful case for your argument.

1. Your essay lacks coherence and cohesion. Transitions are ineffective. The paragraphs read like a list, with no connection between the sentences.  The formatting does not match the model.
   
2. The paragraphs have a general focus, but some sentences are unrelated. Coherence, cohesion, and transitions need work. Formatting is weak.
   
3. Paragraphs are generally well developed with fewer than three problems of focus, unity, or coherence. Transitions may be a bit forced.  Formatting is generally all right but with some errors.
   
4. Paragraphs are focused, unified, and coherent. Transitions are logical and effective.  The formatting follows the models excellently.
   

1. 10+ errors.
2. 9 errors.
3. 4-8 errors.
4. 1-3 errors.

1. You did not participate in your group. You did not attend group meetings, did little or no work on your own, nor did you contribute to the work of the group.
2. You participated minimally in the group, attending some of the meetings, doing a little work on your own, and contributing slightly to the work of the group.
3. You participated adequately in the group, attending most of the meetings, working on your own, and actively contributing to the work of the group.
4. You played a major part in the group project, attending the meetings and helping lead the group. You did substantial individual work, and made a significant contribution to the work of the group.