Grading Criteria for Short Paper Assignment
Reading Oppositional Film
(McNair 311)

Summer 1997

An A essay:

Addresses the topic fully and explores each aspect of the topic thoughtfully
Has a substantial thesis
Shows substantial depth, fullness and complexity of thought
Expresses ideas clearly and commands the reader's attention
Demonstrates clear, unified and coherent organization
Is fully developed and detailed with ideas supported by persuasive reasons and well chosen examples or references to source material
Has a sophisticated style (remarkable variety of sentence pattern, smooth transitions between ideas, superior control of diction)
Has few, if any, minor errors in grammar, usage or mechanics

An A-/B+ essay:

Strongly addresses and explores each aspect of the topic
Has a clear thesis explored fully in the essay
Shows some depth and complexity of thought
Expresses ideas clearly and in an interesting manner
Demonstrates effective organization
Is well developed with sensible supporting details and appropriate examples or references to source material
Has an effective style (variety of sentence patterns, transitions between ideas, accurate diction)
Has few errors in grammar, usage or mechanics

A B/B- essay:

Addresses and explores each aspect of the topic in a satisfactory way
Has a clear thesis explored adequately in the essay
Shows clarity of thought, but may treat the topic simplistically or repetitively
Clearly communicates ideas
Is adequately organized
Is developed with sufficient examples, reasoning, or references for most of the ideas
Has an adequate style (some variety of sentence patterns, transitions between most ideas, diction accurate for the most part)
Has some errors in grammar, usage or mechanics

A C+/C essay:

Inaccurately responds to or neglects part of the topic
Has a simplistic thesis that may show limited knowledge of the topic
Lacks focus or demonstrates confused, stereotyped or simplistic thinking
May not always communicate ideas clearly
Is ineffectively organized
May not provide adequate or appropriate details or references to support generalizations, or may provide details without generalizations
Has stylistic weaknesses (little variety of sentence patterns, few transitions, imprecise diction)
Has occasional major errors in grammar, usage or mechanics or frequent minor errors

A C- essay has one or more of the following characteristics:

Indicates confusion about the topic or neglects important aspects of the topic
Has an unclear or confusing thesis which shows little knowledge of the topic or which demonstrates a misinterpretation of the topic
Exhibits confused thinking
Often fails to communicate ideas clearly
Has very weak organization
Has very little development of ideas; uses very few examples or references to support points
Has an ineffective style (monotonous or fragmented sentence structure, no transitions, simplistic or inaccurate diction)
Has many repeated errors in grammar, usage or mechanics

A U essay has one or more of the following characteristics:

Suggests an inability to comprehend or to respond meaningfully to the topic
Has no thesis or has an incomprehensible thesis
May be deliberately off-topic
Does not communicate ideas clearly
Lacks coherent organization
Shows incomplete or inappropriate development of ideas
Has an incoherent style (difficulties with sentence structure, pattern of diction errors)
Has pervasive pattern of errors in grammar, usage and mechanics

Page written by Kimberlee Gillis-Bridges. Questions and comments to Kimberlee.Gillis-Bridges@cgu.edu .Last updated 1/17/98.