A Essay: This essay possesses a clear, precise, well-defined
and original thesis that goes beyond the ideas discussed in class
or the assigned readings. It contains a cogent analysis of the material
that demonstrates a command of interpretive and conceptual tasks
required by the assignment and the course material. It includes
well-chosen examples, persuasive reasoning consistently applied,
and solid evidence directly applicable to the thesis. The essay
moves easily from one point to the next with clear, smooth, and
appropriate transitions, coherent organization, and fully developed
paragraphs. Finally, the author employs sophisticated sentences
effectively, chooses his words well, and observes all the conventions
of English grammar to craft an eloquent essay.
B Essay: This essay presents a clear, specific thesis central
to the paper and demonstrates a solid understanding of the texts,
ideas, and methods of the assignment. It pursues the thesis consistently,
developing a core argument with clear component points and appropriate
supportive detail. It employs clear transitions and develops coherent,
connected ideas in unified paragraphs. It shows a good command of
English with occasional stylistic or grammatical problems—usually
awkward syntax or excessive use of the passive voice.
C
Essay: This essay has a general thesis central to the essay.
It shows an understanding of the basic ideas and information involved
in the assignment, though with some errors of fact or confusion
of interpretation, and a tendency toward recapitulations or narrations
of standard chronology. It suffers from incomplete development of
the core argument, weak organization or shallow analysis, insufficiently
articulated idesa, or unsupported generalizations. There are some
awkward transitions and weak or underdeveloped paragraphs not clearly
connected to one another. The essay also has a tendency to wordiness,
unclear or awkward sentences, imprecise use of words, grammatical
errors, and a vagueness of meaning brought on by the passive voice.
D
Essay: This essay presents a vague or irrelevant thesis. It
shows inadequate command of course material with significant factual
or conceptual errors, and it fails to respond directly to the assignment.
It is discursive and undeveloped, a mere narration that digresses
from one topic to another. In structure, it is simplistic, tending
toward vague summations and digressions from one topic to another.
Finally, it suffers from major grammatical problems such as subject-verb
disagreement, obscure pronouns, and sentence fragments. the language
is married by clichés, colloquialisms, repeated inexact word
choices and gross spelling errors.
E
Essay:This essay has no discernable thesis. It does not show
an understanding of class materials and is not responsive to the
assignment. There is little or no development. It merely lists the
vaguest generalizations or misinformation. There are no transitions
and only incoherent paragraphs. The essay is almost unreadable due
to its violation of the basic rules of grammar.
A:
You attend class all the time and always make positive contributions.
B:
You attend class all the time and often make positive contributions
OR you miss several classes but usually make positive contributions
when you do show up.
C:
You always attend seminar but never speak OR you begin to miss more
than several seminars and your participation is adequate when you
do show up.
D:
You never speak.
E:
Please see the attendance policy.
