Content

Poor (D or below)

C/D

Satisfactory C

B/C

Good B

A/B

Excellent A

Makes little mention of relevant content.

Accurately explains some of the relevant content.

Accurately explains most but not all of the

relevant content and/or

some explanations need more development.

Fully and accurately explains all of the relevant content.

Additional comments

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Clarity

Poor (D or below)

C/D

Satisfactory C

B/C

Good B

A/B

Excellent A

Explanations are largely unclear. 

Summarizes ideas instead of explaining them and most

explanations are unclear.

Most but not all explanations are clear and precise, and most

but not all of the paper would be

comprehensible to a generally intelligent person.

All explanations are clear and precise. 

Paper would be comprehensible to a generally intelligent person.

Additional comments

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Creativity

Poor (D or below)

C/D

Satisfactory C

B/C

Good B

A/B

Excellent A

Paper does not develop any of the author’s own ideas.

Paper focuses largely on the ideas of others; author needs to develop own insights.

Argument is insightful, but it should be further developed in response to class readings.

Shows fresh insight into the topic, and

the author develops their own argument

in conversation with class readings.

Additional comments

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Organization

Poor (D or below)

C/D

Satisfactory C

B/C

Good B

A/B

Excellent A

Paragraphs are not organized and

writing does not

follow a clear and systematic narrative.

Paper is focused in some places, but in other places the

writing does not

follow a clear and systematic narrative.

Maintains clear focus throughout much of the paper, but some steps and/or transitions are unclear.

Breaks the discussion down

into distinct parts and demonstrates the logical

relationships

between those parts.

Writing follows a clear and systematic narrative.

Additional comments

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Spelling and Grammar

Poor (D or below)

C/D

Satisfactory C

B/C

Good B

A/B

Excellent A

Extensive grammatical errors make the paper

difficult to read. Many word choices are mistaken and/or confusing.

Paper contains a significant number of

mistakes. Many words

are clear, but there are also significant

problems with word choice.

Paper has a small number of mistakes; it was proofread, but not carefully enough. 

Word usage and definitions are generally but not entirely precise. 

 Paper has almost no grammar or spelling

errors. Words are chosen for their precise meanings.  

Additional comments

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Reasoning

Poor (D or below)

C/D

Satisfactory C

B/C

Good B

A/B

Excellent A

Does not establish a clear line of

reasoning and piece contains minimal argumentation.

There is some argumentation, but it is mostly unconvincing,

and the overall line of reasoning is not clear.

There is some argumentation, but it is mostly unconvincing,

and the overall line of reasoning is not clear. 

 There is an obvious, clear line of

reasoning and the argumentation is

straightforward and convincing. 

Additional comments

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