Grading Standards: T122 and T125
The standards that follow apply to evaluative, interpretive, and other formal student essays written in T122 and T125.
A (Superior): An A paper shows probing critical reading and analysis of a text; it evaluates selected textual elements with creative, detailed reasoning and use of evidence; its whole essay organization shows a logical arrangement of parts; all parts are relevant to the thesis. The thesis statement expresses a clear, confident stance and provides an accurate, concise forecast of topics to be developed. Paragraphs have a sharp focus and include carefully selected evidence. Sentences within paragraphs are linked by tight logical connections and effective transitions. Any source materials are clearly subordinate to the paper's own purpose, which is elaborated with stylistic efficiency and even flair. Documentation, when needed, conforms to all appropriate conventions. Sentences are varied in structure and imaginative in style; wording is concise; style and tone create a distinctive voice. The final, revised paper is free of all serious errors in grammar and punctuation; there are no misspellings.
B (Strong): A B paper shows good critical reading skills and offers convincing reading and evidence; the parts of the essay are logically arranged and relevant to the thesis. The thesis statement takes a clear stand and forecasts the topics to be developed. Paragraphs are unified, and supporting details are sufficient and relevant. Any source materials are subordinate to the student's own stand, which is developed clearly and purposefully. Documentation, when needed, conforms to most appropriate conventions. Sentences are linked by logical connections and adequate transitions. Sentences show variety. Wording is relatively concise and appropriate. The final, revised paper contains very infrequent errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
C (Competent): A C paper demonstrates an understanding of texts and issues, evaluates reasonably, and cites supporting evidence. The thesis statement takes a clear stand and forecasts the topics to be developed. Paragraphs and supporting details relate generally to the topic. Any source materials are subordinate to the student's own stand. Documentation, when needed, conforms to most appropriate conventions. The sentences within the paragraphs are, for the most part, related and contain adequate transitions. Sentence style may consist of relatively simple sentence patterns. Word choice is appropriate. While a few mistakes in grammar, punctuation, and spelling may occur, most of these elements of the paper should be correct on the final, revised copy.
D (Below average, weak), and F (Failure): D and F papers display errors such as a failure to practice one or more of the principles of critical reading or writing. For instance, it may show an inability to correctly identify the main idea of a text, or it may mis-identify some elements of the text. It may defend a thesis in illogical or unconvincing ways. The paper may resort excessively to summary. The paper may lack content and repeat ideas or pad simply to fill space. The paragraphs may lack topic sentences. Some paragraphs may lack adequate supporting detail or may wander from the main idea. If source materials are used, they may be misread or adopted in a way that verges on plagiarism. Documentation may be faulty. Sentences within paragraphs are only loosely related, and transitions are missing. Sentences may be excessively wordy or vague. Style and word choice are flat, inconsistent, or inappropriate to the audience. The paper displays major or repeated errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, even in the final revised copy.
An F paper, like a D paper, shows a failure to practice one or more of the principles of critical reading or writing, but an F paper reveals persistent problems, such as the following: the paragraphs lack focus and contain little supporting detail; sentences within the paragraphs are unrelated to the main idea, and transitions are missing; sentences are faulty in structure, or vague, wordy, and irrelevant; word choice is inappropriate, incorrect, or inconsistent; frequent major errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling indicate an inability to handle written conventions; there are excessive misspellings. Papers that fail to address the assignment topic at all also merit an F.