A--Outstanding
An "A" paper is exceptional in its original and critical approach to the assignment, its compelling consideration of audience and purpose, its fully developed and illuminating thesis, and its engaging and error-free structure. Specifically, an "A" paper fulfills all of these requirements:
Audience--The writing reflects superior audience awareness. It actively engages its reader and makes a clear point that is supported with excellent reasoning, evidence, and detail emerging from appropriate research. The writing also provokes the reader to reflect on the topic’s subtleties and complexities.
Thesis and Support--The writing has a critically reasoned, original thesis that is strategically placed and substantiated through reliable, relevant, and sufficient evidence.
Organization--The writing is organized seamlessly to elucidate the thesis. The organization reflects the logic and analysis necessary to support the thesis. The introduction, conclusion, transitions and other organizational strategies are clear and strong; paragraphs are fully developed.
Style--The writer’s voice engages the reader through a sophisticated control of prose. The language reflects and develops the thesis. Similarly, quotations are effectively integrated into the text. The language is concise and precise.
Response to Assignment--The writing takes an original and thought-provoking approach to the assignment.
Grammar & Form--The writing has virtually no grammatical or mechanical errors. Sources are appropriately documented and cited.
B--Good
A "B" paper is above average in its fulfillment of the assignment, its consideration of audience and purpose, its substantiated thesis, and its clear prose and structure. Specifically, a "B" paper fulfills all of these requirements:
Audience--The writing reflects solid audience awareness. It engages the reader and supports its central point with sufficient evidence. The writing demonstrates a working understanding of the topic’s complexities, and reasons through an original insight without flaws in logic.
Thesis and Support--The writing has a clear, good thesis with sufficient, reliable evidence and sound reasoning.
Organization--The writing is organized so that ideas are connected fluidly and sensibly. The introduction and conclusion are solid; transitions are used, but could be stronger. Some minor gaps in logic and argument appear. Paragraphs are well-developed, focused, and positioned.
Style--The writing keeps the reader’s attention through deliberate but not contrived choices in prose. Sentences are clear; quotations are usually well-integrated into the prose. Language is concise and precise.
Response to Assignment --The writing has a clear purpose beyond the minimum requirements of the assignment.
Grammar & Form--The writing has few grammatical and/or mechanical errors, and they do not distract the reader from the content. Sources are appropriately documented and cited.
C--Satisfactory
A "C" paper is satisfactory for college level writing in addressing the assignment, developing a main idea, and communicating that idea with some support and structure. Specifically, a "C" paper fulfills all of these requirements:
Audience--The writing shows minimal audience awareness and establishes a basic credibility, giving some evidence and detail to support a point. The writing offers some element of insight and thoughtfulness about the subject matter.
Thesis and Support--The writing has a thesis that has some relevant support.
Organization--The writing has a basic structure, organization, and transitions, and the ideas are ordered and linked. Paragraphs, including the introduction and conclusion, are focused but might require more development.
Style--The writing has consistency in tone, language, and support. The prose is adequate and, despite some awkwardness and clutter, communicates clearly. There may be some wordiness.
Response to Assignment--The writing has some sense of purpose and meets the minimum requirements of the assignment.
Grammar and Form-- The writing has grammatical and mechanical awareness. Some errors distract the reader from the content. Sources are documented and cited.
D/F--Unsatisfactory
A "D/F" paper does not adequately fulfill the assignment requirements. The writing is deficient in one or more of the following areas:
Audience--The writing ignores the needs of the audience, offering insufficient evidence, irrelevant evidence or details, or illogical, flawed reasoning to support its assertions. The writing offers little or no insight for thought about the subject matter.
Thesis and Support--The thesis is tangential, disordered, or not discernable, and the writing has weak or non-existent support.
Organization--The writing’s organization is difficult to discern. The parts of the paper—including the introduction and conclusion—do not work together towards a unified whole. Paragraphs are underdeveloped or lack focus or cohesion. Transitions and writing strategies are awkward or missing.
Style--The writing has weak or confusing diction and syntax, and has excessive or inappropriate use of quotations. The language is distractingly wordy.
Response to Assignment--The writing does not fulfill the minimum requirements of the assignment.
Grammar and Form--The writing has substantial grammatical and/or mechanical errors that distract the reader from the content. Sources are inappropriately documented and cited.
*This is a guide that might be modified, especially for non-traditional assignments.
