Grading Notes for Term Papers
Letter grades are generally defined as:
A = “Outstanding
Achievement”
B = “Very Good,
Commendable”
C = “Satisfactory”
D = “Minimum
Performance”
I keep these definitions in mind when determining the grade
earned by a paper. But in doing so, I take into account a number of specific
criteria as I sum up the overall worth and excellence of a paper. These
criteria are:
1. Appropriate topic
for the course and assignment.
2. Appropriate
length and scope.
- Amount
of writing.
- Number
of sources.
- Breadth/narrowness
of topic
3. Quality of
research.
- Use of
original vs. secondary sources.
- Credibility
of internet sources.
4. Format, adherence
to APA style.
- Cover
page.
- Abstract.
- Running
head, spacing, font, page numbering.
- Format
and labeling of tables or figures.
- In-text
citations.
- Reference
list.
5. Organization.
- Organization
of topics & subtopics.
- Effective
use of subheadings.
- Overall
cohesion.
- Paper
builds to a conclusion section (vs. short summary “tacked on” after last
concatenated source description).
6. Quality of
writing.
- Spelling
& grammar errors (upper-division papers should be nearly free of
these).
- Appropriate
choice of words; clarity of expression (vs. confused or awkward phrasing).
- Continuity
in relationship of adjacent sentences.
- Continuity
in flow of logic and ideas.
- Continuity
in transition between paragraphs.
- Quotations
used sparingly and effectively (if at all).
7. Quality of
thinking.
- Depth
of analysis; deeply analytical vs. superficially descriptive.
- Author’s
“voice” clearly recognizable (vs. merely reporting others’ work).
- Evidence
of sophisticated thought, illuminating or compelling arguments, intriguing
insights, comparison & synthesis of competing views.