A - F Grading Criteria

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An "A" paper will:

bullet point gif demonstrate a strong sense of audience and context
bullet point gif develop the topic with relevant detail and support
bullet point gif clearly acknowledge sources
bullet point gif exhibit outstanding style, grammar, and attention to detail
bullet point gif proceed clearly from point to point
bullet point gif provide a clear purpose and thesis idea
bullet point gif [in general, an "A" paper presents its ideas with originality, flair, and competence]

 

A "B" paper will:
bullet point gif demonstrate a competent sense of audience and context
bullet point gif develop the topic with relevant detail and support
bullet point gif clearly acknowledge sources
bullet point gif exhibit competent style, grammar, and attention to detail
bullet point gif proceed clearly from point to point
bullet point gif provide a clear purpose and thesis idea
bullet point gif [a "B" paper may lack some originality, or be less developed than an "A" paper, but the strengths will still outnumber the weaknesses]

 

A "C" paper will:

bullet point gif demonstrate a sense of audience and context
bullet point gif develop the topic with relevant detail and support
bullet point gif acknowledge sources
bullet point gif exhibit a mastery of style and grammar such that the reader is not confused
bullet point gif proceed from point to point in a logical way
bullet point gif provide a clear purpose and thesis idea
bullet point gif [a "C" paper may have a balance of strengths and weaknesses, proceed in formulaic or clichéd ways, and probably have less competence in style and grammar]

 

A "D" paper will:

bullet point gif struggle with a sense of audience and context
bullet point gif under-develop the topic or fail to provide detailed support
bullet point gif acknowledge sources
bullet point gif confuse the reader with awkward or ungrammatical sentences
bullet point gif present the ideas in a haphazard order
bullet point gif provide a vague purpose and thesis
bullet point gif [a "D" paper may not exhibit all the listed problems, but the weaknesses will outnumber the strengths]

An "F" paper will:

bullet point gif demonstrate severe organizational, stylistic, and/or focus problems
bullet point gif fail to acknowledge sources
bullet point gif fail to develop the topic
bullet point gif fail to provide a clear purpose and thesis

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