Grading Guide for Papers

Swanson

 

 

F:  A failing paper generally has a number of weaknesses in thesis, content, organization, and style, that in combination make the paper ineffective in addressing the assignment and communicating with the reader.  Among the most serious flaws are:  lack of a clear, sufficiently focused thesis that is related to the assignment; almost total lack of development and supporting details; absence of any apparent organizational plan; a style that is unreadable because of vagueness and/or the number and magnitude of deviations from the conventions of Standard English.

 

D:  This is a weak paper, but it begins to meet the requirements of the assignment.  The thesis is not limited or clear enough.  The development of the thesis is not persuasive because of insufficiently detailed, accurate, or relevant supporting information and argument.  The organization is loose and/or confusing.  The style makes it difficult for the reader to understand what is being said:  sentence structure is at times awkward; diction is vague or ambiguous; grammatical mistakes seriously distracting.

 

C:  This paper carries out the assignment in a routine way.  The thesis is reasonable and supported by relevant argument and information.  The organization is basically clear.  There are few awkward sentences, confusing phrases, or serious grammatical errors.  However, the C paper lacks the clarity of focus and insight, the thoroughness of development, the tightness of organization, and the forcefulness of style of the A and B papers.

 

B:  This is a thorough paper that goes beyond the routine response to the assignment.  The thesis reflects some thoughtfulness and the development is careful and persuasive.  The organization is clear and coherent and well-suited to the purpose of the paper.  The style is smooth and free of distracting errors.

 

A:  An excellent paper, a perceptive and well-written response to the assignment.  It has no major flaws of grammar, organization, or information.  The thesis has depth or breadth of insight, and in some way goes beyond the obvious or expectable.  The development is sound, interesting, thorough, and compelling.  The organization is persuasive and the style has some elegance or vigor.