Students often wonder how their work is graded when it is not a simple matter of counting the correct or incorrect answers. Of course, the process is subjective, based on the instructor's experience with student writing. The decisions I make take into account the following criteria, listed in the order of their importance:
Aptness: Does the essay apply directly to the topic or to the question asked?
Thoroughness: Are all significant facts included? Does the essay include pertinent dates or other time or place references? Does it show change order time, when this is pertinent to the topic?
Accuracy: Is the essay free of misstatements of fact? Does it demonstrate a sound grasp of the chronology of events?
Clarity of thought and expression: Does the essay demonstrate a clear grasp of the points at issue and the readings or other research assignments associated with it?
Originality: Is this in your own words, free of plagiarized or paraphrased material? Fresh insights, original analyses, or alternate viewpoints may greatly enhance the overall impression made by a paper, but only if they are well supported by evidence or logic.
Organization: Does the essay begin with a clear thesis (topic statement), continue through a series of well-thought out arguments, and end with an appropriate conclusion? Are sources clearly cited according to the requirements of the individual assignment?
Grammar: Is the essay written in standard English? Standard English usage is required to receive more than a minimum grade of C on written work. If you have doubts about your ability to prepare papers using standard English, take your manuscript to the Center for Academic Success for advice.
Vocabulary: Does it contain misused words?
Spelling: Is it free of egregious spelling errors?
Style: A fluent writing style adds to the quality of any essay, but only if all other criteria are also met.
Presentation:
Form: Does the presentation meet the assignment in terms of margins, paper size, paragraph style, title placement, cover pages, etc? Did the author proofread it carefully?
Promptness: Late submissions will suffer grade penalties.
Neatness: Paper submissions: Is the paper wrinkled, soiled or ripped out of a
notebook; does it contain many messy corrections (a few neat ones are
acceptable); is it hand-written? (Out of class assignments should be typed;
in-class writing should be neat and legible .) On-line submissions: If printed,
would it conform to the standards set for paper submissions? Does the
first page heading include your name, course and time, date, and a title for the
work you are submitting?
Plagiarism is considered cheating and may be grounds for a failing grade on the assignment.