|
RUBRIC FOR FRESHMAN COMPOSITION
A. An A paper is extraordinary work that more than fulfills
the requirements of the assignment. This essay tackles the topic in an
innovative way, with a clear sense of audience and purpose, an insightful
thesis, and an appropriate and effective organization. The structure is
carefully planned; each section of the essay develops the thesis with logical
arguments and specific, conclusive evidence which has been interpreted and
clearly related to the writer's point. The style is energetic and precise: the
sentence structure is varied and the words are carefully chosen. How the writer
says things is as excellent as what the writer says. There is evidence of
careful editing since the essay contains few grammatical and/or mechanical
errors and, if necessary, is correctly documented using MLA format.
B. A B paper is clearly above-average and more than meets the requirements
of the assignment. Like the "A" paper, it has a clear thesis and organizational
strategy; and each paragraph provides unified, coherent, and developed support
for its thesis and subordinate assertions. If necessary, it properly documents
sources. While the essay takes some "risks," attempts complex strategies of
development, and pays attention to audience, it falls short of the "A" essay in
one or more of the following ways: the thesis may not be as interesting or
insightful; there may be weaknesses in organizational strategy or its execution;
the support may not be uniformly conclusive and convincing; and the style may
not be as energetic or the diction as thoughtful. The essay shows strong
evidence of editing since there are relatively few grammatical and/or mechanical
errors.
C. A C paper is average work that solidly meets the
requirements of the assignment. The essay has a thesis and organizational plan
which demonstrate thought on the writer's part, a generally clear style, and
adequate documentation, if required. Paragraphs contribute unified and coherent
support, but the writer may have difficulty with any of the following: the
thesis may be too general; the evidence may be predictable, may not be
thoroughly interpreted, or may not be clearly related to the writer's point; the
paragraphs may be uneven in development and transition. Even in the "C" essay,
there should be relatively few grammatical or mechanical errors--not enough to
interfere with readability; the student has done some editing, even though it
may be superficial.
D. A D paper is below average work that demonstrates a serious attempt to
fulfill the assignment and shows some promise but does not fully meet the
requirements of the assignment. The essay may have one or several of the
following weaknesses. It may have a general or implied thesis; but the idea may
be too broad, vague, or obvious. The organizational plan may be inappropriate or
inconsistently carried out. Evidence may be too general, missing, not
interpreted, irrelevant to the thesis, or inappropriately repetitive.
Documentation may be incomplete or inaccurate. The style may be compromised by
repetitive or flawed sentence patterns and/or inappropriate diction and
confusing syntax. Grammatical and mechanical errors may interfere with
readability and indicate a less-than-adequate attempt at editing or an
unfamiliarity with some aspects of Standard Written English.
F. An F paper is substantially below
average for the assignment. It exhibits one or several of the following. It may
be off-topic. It may be an attempt to meet the requirements of the assignment,
but it may have no apparent thesis or a self-contradictory one, or the essay's
point is so general or obvious as to suggest little thinking-through of the
topic. It may display little or no apparent sense of organization; it may lack
development; evidence may be inappropriate and/or off-topic or may consist of
generalizations, faulty assumptions, or errors of fact. This essay may fail to
handle borrowed material responsibly and/or to document appropriately. The style
suggests serious difficulties with fluency which may be revealed in short,
simple sentences and ineffective diction. Grammatical/mechanical errors may
interfere with reader comprehension or indicate problems with basic literacy or
a lack of understanding of Standard English usage.
|
