Grading Criteria
I try to make as clear as possible my grading criteria for papers. Content is important, but so is grammar,
punctuation, and MLA format. All of these things work together and determine your ultimate grade for your paper.
Hard copies of papers are not necessary as all drafts and final papers will be submitted to blackboard.
MUSTS:
In order to have your final draft graded:
You must upload your rough draft to turnitin on blackboard on the due date.
You must upload your final paper to turnitin on blackboard by the due date.
Exceptions to the due dates will have to be made in advance of the due dates.
An A paper:
Has a clearly defined thesis and excellent support paragraphs.
Has proper MLA formatting (no errors in citation).
Has the length required.
Has very few grammar errors (nearly flawless).
Has no run-ons. May have a stray fragment which appears intentional, for dramatic effect.
Has smooth flow and good transitioning.
A B paper:
Has a clearly defined thesis and adequate support paragraphs.
Has proper MLA formatting; may have some slight errors (if citing is done).
Has the length required.
Has few grammar errors.
Has no more than one run-on or fragment.
May not be entirely smooth.
Deficiencies in one area will be sufficient to earn the lower grade.
A C paper:
Has a thesis and support.
MLA formatting is error-ridden.
May not have the length required.
Has several grammar errors.
Has multiple issues with run-ons and fragments.
Not smooth.
Deficiencies in one area will be sufficient to earn the lower grade.
A D paper:
Problems throughout the paper that extend past the C paper but do not warrant a failing grade.
An F paper:
Problems are extensive enough that a grade higher than a 59 cannot be justified.
If students improperly paraphrase or take text from a source and do not quote it, but it is apparent that the
plagiarism was not intended to deceive or cheat, the paper will receive an F. Any misattribution or borrowing from a
source without proper quotations will receive a failing grade.
If the plagiarism appears intentional, the paper receives a grade of 0 and the guidelines set in place will apply.
Notes:
An A paper should be close to spotless. If your paper is not, then you should not expect an A.
You will almost certainly have to go through the revising and editing processes in order to earn an
A.