GRADING STANDARDS

The standards explained below are those which will be used in the evaluation of your papers. The assignments in my courses are all text based assignments. This means that you will be engaged in analyzing, interpreting, defending or challenging the arguments and/or positions found in texts. Thus, all your papers must clearly demonstrate a competent level of understanding the texts. In addition, to more effectively demonstrate that competence, all papers must be written according to the Modern Language Association Manual of Style. Remember too, at all times the goal of the paper is to convince me or your intended audience to see things your way.

A - EXCELLENT: Clearly an outstanding paper-engaging, imaginative, and well written.

• An original and perceptive purpose, thesis, position or issue that is cogently stated, well developed and supported.
• Thoughtful and logical organization.
• Carefully constructed sentences and fully developed, logically ordered, and coherent paragraphs.
• Appropriate and precise use of words and phrases.
• Effective punctuation, appropriate grammar and spelling, and acceptable format.
• Effective, but judicious use of primary source material, properly cited.
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of authors' positions.

• Clearly stated purpose, thesis, position, or issue, logically and adequately developed.
• Logical organization.
• Well-constructed sentences and logically ordered, coherent paragraphs.
• Appropriate words and phrases.
• Appropriate punctuation, grammar, spelling with few exceptions; acceptable format.
• Competent use of primary source material, properly cited.
• Competent reading of the texts.

• A clearly stated or implied purpose, thesis, position or issue, adequately developed.
• Clear organization and generally consistent point of view.
• Generally clear sentences and adequately developed, logically ordered, coherent paragraphs.
• Essentially suitable words and phrases.
• Basically appropriate punctuation, grammar, correct spelling (no serious exceptions) and
• Acceptable format.
• Fair use of primary source material, properly cited.
• Adequate comprehension of the material.

• An unclear purpose, thesis, position, or issue; underdeveloped argument, analysis, or interpretation.
• Weak organization and inconsistent point of view.
• Several unclear or faulty constructed sentences, choppy and under-developed paragraphs, little or no transition between paragraphs.
• Several inappropriate and imprecise words and phrases.
• Some inaccurate punctuation and grammar, some incorrect spelling, and a generally acceptable format.
• Inadequate use of primary source material.
• Unclear demonstration concerning an understanding of the texts.

• No clearly stated or implied purpose, thesis, position, or issue; weak arguments, analysis, or interpretation.
• Weak, illogical organization; inconsistent point of view.
• Generally unclear and faulty sentences; skimpy and incoherent paragraphs, no transition between paragraphs.
• Numerous inappropriate or imprecise words and phrases.
• Distracting and inaccurate punctuation, serious grammatical problems, numerous misspellings, and unacceptable format.
• Improper use or lack of primary source documentation.
• Comprehension of the material is not demonstrated.