Although the following standards were developed by the
English Department primarily for use in College Writing (ENGL 110), they
are a useful guide for the evaluation of any expository writing assignment.
The C grade description appears first as an example of satisfactory or
average work.
Minimum Requirement for a Grade of C:
SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE
Content
The paper fulfills the instructor's assignment and responds
to the topic in a manner that demonstrates a competent understanding of
the material presented.
The paper's main idea should be apparent, even if it seems
at times to be vaguely or imprecisely presented.
The paper's thesis should be supported, even if the support
is at times inadequate or ineffective.
Organization
The paper should generally demonstrate an orderly communication
of thought.
The paper should demonstrate a definite arrangement of ideas,
even if the paper's sense of organization might not be consistent throughout.
The paper's introduction and conclusion should be adequate,
if not completely effective.
Grammar and Diction
The paper should generally be free of serious errors of grammar,
syntax, diction or usage.
The word choice should generally be adequate.
Style
The paper should have a clear sense of voice, even if the
paper's emphasis is not entirely consistent throughout.
The sentences should be generally correct in grammar and
syntax, even if there is a lack of variety in sentence structures.
Additional Notes
In order to receive a passing grade in the course, each student
must complete all the major course assignments.
The English Department will support individual instructor's
attendance and workshop requirements for the course.
Minimum Requirement for a Grade of B: GOOD
PERFORMANCE
In addition to fulfilling the requirements for a C paper,
a B paper must demonstrate the author's ability to respond to the assignment
in a manner that illustrates not only competence but insight.
Content
The paper's main idea should be presented with clarity.
The paper's thesis should be supported with examples that
are well chosen and rhetorically effective.
Organization
The paper should generally demonstrate an orderly communication
of thought in a structure that allows the reader to proceed smoothly from
one idea to the next.
The paper should present an effective arrangement of ideas,
whose organization is generally consistent throughout.
The paper's introduction and conclusion should generally
be engaging.
Grammar and Diction
The paper should generally be free of errors of grammar,
syntax, diction or usage.
The word choice should generally be effective.
Style
The paper should have an engaging and generally persuasive
sense of voice, and a consistent sense of emphasis throughout.
The sentences should not only be correct but varied in structure.
Minimum Requirement for a Grade of A:
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
In addition fulfilling the requirements for a B paper,
an A paper must demonstrate the author's ability to respond to the assignment
in a manner that illustrates not only competence, but insight and originality.
The author's use of expository strategies must be consistent and controlled.
Content
The paper's main idea should be engagingly and convincingly
presented.
The paper's thesis should be supported in a manner that is
focused and persuasive enough to demand the reader's respect.
Organization
The paper should demonstrate throughout an orderly communication
of thought in a structure that is clear and effective.
The paper should present an appropriate and sophisticated
arrangement of ideas throughout.
The paper's introduction and conclusion should be engaging
and fresh.
Grammar and Diction
The paper's use of language should be generally error free;
it should also be controlled and effective.
The choice of words should be appropriate throughout.
Style
The paper should have an engaging and distinctive sense of
voice, and a consistent sense of emphasis throughout.
The sentences should not only be correct but effective as
well.
Description of D Papers: MARGINAL
PERFORMANCE
Content
The paper responds only marginally to the assignment.
The paper addresses the assignment only tangentially, or
the main idea of the paper is overgeneralized or vague.
The paper's thesis is not adequately supported by examples,
or the examples that are used are only marginally effective.
Organization
The paper demonstrates only marginally coherent communication
of thought.
The paper generally lacks an effective or consistent structure.
The paper's introduction and conclusion are not fully effective.
They may be vague or only weakly defined.
Transitions on either the sentence or the paragraph level
are weak or ineffective.
Style
The paper lacks a clear sense of voice, either because of
a lack of coherence or a frequent number of sentence level errors.
The sentences may lack variety.
Grade of F: UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE
Content
The paper fails to address the instructor's assignment or
fails to respond to the topic in a manner that demonstrates a competent
understanding of the material presented.
The paper's main idea is not apparent or is poorly focused.
The paper's thesis is not adequately supported.
Organization
The paper does not demonstrate an orderly communication of
thought.
The paper does not show a definite arrangement of ideas.
The organization may be illogical or incoherent.
The intended emphasis -- on either the sentence or the paragraph
level -- is unclear.
The paper's introduction and conclusion are inadequate.
Grammar and diction
The paper has frequent or serious errors of grammar, syntax,
diction or usage.
The word choice is ineffective.
Style
The paper lacks a clear sense of voice, either because of
frequent and distracting errors or unclear emphasis throughout.
