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Grading Criteria
for Essay 2
An
A-Range (3.5-4.0) Essay
An
A-range essay:
-
Has a
substantive thesis that makes an arguable claim regarding the primary source
and its historical context; thesis is clearly explained and supported in
the body of the essay
-
Shows
substantial depth, fullness and complexity of thought regarding the historical
significance of the source
-
Focuses
on the primary source; secondary sources are used as they illustrate the
historical significance of the primary source
-
Expresses
ideas clearly and commands the reader’s attention
-
Demonstrates
clear, unified and coherent organization
-
Is fully
developed and detailed with arguments supported by persuasive reasons and
references to the primary source or relevant secondary sources; there is
an appropriate balance between providing evidence and analyzing that evidence
-
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
A B-Range
(2.5-3.4) Essay
A B-range
essay:
-
Has a
thesis that makes a claim regarding the primary source and its historical
context; the thesis may be clear and well-argued, but could use additional
support or development
-
Shows
some depth and complexity of thought regarding the historical significance
of the source
-
Focuses
on the primary source for the most part; however, essay may occasionally
summarize secondary sources without using them to illustrate the historical
significance of the primary source
-
Expresses
ideas clearly
-
Demonstrates
effective organization
-
Is well
developed with sensible supporting details and appropriate references to
the primary source or relevant secondary sources; however, some evidence
may detract from the thesis and some ideas might not be fully explored
-
Balance
between evidence and analysis exists, but may be weak in places
-
Has an
effective style (some variety of sentence patterns, transitions between
ideas, accurate diction)
-
Has few
errors in grammar, usage or mechanics
A C-Range
(1.5-2.4) Essay
A C-range
essay:
-
Has a
thesis that addresses the primary source and its historical context, but
the thesis may not be entirely clear; thesis may make a claim regarding
the period without reference to the primary source
-
Shows
insufficient awareness of the historical significance of the source; essay
may offer simplistic or repetitive analysis
-
Discusses
the primary source but discussion may tend toward summarizing of secondary
sources; conversely, the primary source may not be placed effectively within
its historical context
-
Communicates
ideas clearly for the most part, but may have some lapses in clarity
-
Has a
recognizable organizational pattern, but the relation among parts is not
consistently clear enough to provide a coherent focus
-
Is unevenly
developed; writer may offer sufficient references to the primary source
or relevant secondary sources for some of the ideas but not for others
-
Needs
a more effective balance between evidence and analysis
-
Has an
adequate style (limited variation in sentence patterns, transitions between
most ideas, diction accurate for the most part)
-
Has some
errors in grammar, usage or mechanics, but demonstrates basic control of
these areas
A D-Range
(.7-1.4) Essay
A D-range
essay has one or more of the following characteristics:
-
Has an
unclear thesis; essay references the primary source and the historical
context, but does not discuss them in any meaningful fashion
-
Lacks
focus or demonstrates confused, stereotyped or simplistic thinking; writer
may demonstrate no overall conception of the historical significance of
the source
-
Makes
reference to the primary source but mainly summarizes secondary sources;
paper is more broad historical narrative than an analysis of the primary
source
-
May not
communicate ideas clearly
-
Is ineffectively
organized, with no clear relationship between the parts of the essay
-
May not
provide adequate or appropriate details or references to support generalizations,
or may provide details without generalizations
-
Has unclear
relationship between source material and the thesis
-
Has stylistic
weaknesses (no variety of sentence patterns, few transitions, imprecise
diction)
-
Has occasional
major errors in grammar, usage or mechanics or frequent minor errors that
interfere in the reader's understanding of the essay
A F-Range
(0.0) Essay
A F-range
essay has one or more of the following characteristics:
-
Has no
thesis or an incomprehensible thesis that does not engage the primary source
or its historical context
-
May be
deliberately off-topic and demonstrates no understanding of the historical
significance of the primary source
-
Does not
communicate ideas clearly
-
Lacks
coherent organization
-
Shows
no development of ideas
-
Uses source
material without citation, presenting quotation, paraphrase and summary
of another author's work as the writer's own
-
Has an
incoherent style (difficulties with sentence structure, pattern of diction
errors)
-
Has pervasive
pattern of errors in grammar, usage and mechanics that renders the essay
unreadable
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Class:
MWF 10:30-11:20
Location:
Mueller 154
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