Grading Abstracts for A, B, C, and D Portfolios

Characteristics of A papers

Content

• The material challenges the intelligence and sophistication of a college-level audience.
• A single focus is emphasized through the entire paper.
• The writer appeals effectively to the intended audience.
• The focus is consistently developed with significant and interesting details, examples, and discussion.
• Relevant outside sources are clearly introduced and integrated into the surrounding discussion.

Organization

• The focus of the paper is clearly emphasized.
• The overall pattern is artfully conceived.
• The focus is developed through a sequence of related paragraphs.
• Paragraphs are purposefully organized and substantially developed with
• supporting evidence or detailed examples.
• The opening is inviting, challenging, and appropriate.
• Transitions between and within paragraphs are explicit, clear, and purposeful.

Style

• Sentence structure varies according to the content, purpose and audience.
• The sentences are clear, logical, and enjoyable to read.
• Word choice is precise, interesting, and appropriate to the writing task.
• The language is mature and idiomatic.
• The writer’s tone complements the paper’s purpose and suits the audience.

Mechanics

• Format is appropriate.
• References to outside sources are cited and documented according to the appropriate style sheet.
• Problems in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or usage do not interfere with communication.

Characteristics of B Papers

Content

• The material is thoughtful and engaging.
• A single focus runs through the entire paper.
• The writer clearly acknowledges the expectations of the audience.
• The focus is developed with appropriate details, examples, and discussions.
• Outside sources are used clearly and purposefully.

Organization

• The focus is clearly identifiable.
• The overall pattern is clear and sensible.
• The focus is developed through a sequence of related paragraphs.
• Paragraphs are clearly organized, but some may lack richness of detail or evidence.
• The opening is appropriate to the focus.
• Transitions between and within paragraphs advance the writer’s ideas.

Style

• Sentences are varied in structure, only occasionally choppy or repetitive.
• Sentences are generally clear, logical, and readable.
• Writer demonstrates general control over vocabulary appropriate to the writing task.
• The language is idiomatic.
• The tone is consistent and appropriate to the writer’s purpose and audience.

Mechanics

• Format is appropriate.
• References to outside sources are generally cited and documented according to the appropriate style sheet.
• Problems in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or usage rarely interfere with communication.

Characteristics of C Papers

Content

• The material is reasonable, but may not fully engage the abilities of the audience.
• A single focus runs through the paper, although parts may wander from the central idea.
• The writer appears to present ideas and descriptions with an audience in mind.
• The focus is generally developed with details, examples, and discussions.
• Outside sources are generally relevant, although not always clearly introduced or integrated into the discussion.

Organization

• The paper has an identifiable focus.
• The writer establishes an overall pattern for the paper to follow.
• The focus is generally developed throughout the paper, although some paragraphs may
• appear out of sequence or slightly off-track.
• Paragraphs tend to lack richness of evidence or detailed examples.
• The opening generally matches the topic and focus.
• Transitions are evident, but may be abrupt or mechanical.

Style

• Sentences tend to be basic, choppy, or structurally repetitive.
• Sentences are generally readable, but ideas may be hard to follow from one part of the paper to the next.
• Although most words appear to be well-chosen, some may not be as precise or apt as they could be.
• Occasional lapses from standard idiom occur.
• The tone, though generally consistent, at times appears inappropriate to the writer’s purpose and audience.

Mechanics

• Format is generally appropriate.
• References to outside sources are generally cited and documented, but not always in the appropriate style.
• Problems in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or usage occasionally interfere with communication and damage the writer’s credibility.

Characteristics of D Papers

Content

• The material does not fully engage the abilities of the audience.
• No single focus runs through the entire paper.
• The writer doesn’t appear to have the needs of an audience in mind.
• Ideas are stated, but not developed with details, examples, and discussions.
• Outside sources, if used at all, are not clearly introduced or integrated.

Organization

• The paper’s focus is overly general, missing, or unclear.
• The writer hasn’t established a clear pattern for the paper to follow.
• Attempt at development is evident but unsuccessful; paragraphs frequently seem unrelated or repetitive.
• Paragraphs are poorly constructed and contain little supporting detail.
• The opening is overly general, missing, or misleading.
• Transitions are weak, ineffective, or missing.

Style

• Sentences are frequently basic, choppy, or repetitive.
• Sentence problems impede effective communication.
• The reader must reread many sentences in order to comprehend them.
• The writer displays inadequate control of diction; word-choice problems are frequent.
• There are many problems with standard idiom.
• The tone frequently appears inappropriate to the writer’s purpose and audience.

Mechanics

• Format is not always appropriate.
• References to outside sources are not clearly cited; documentation style is generally inappropriate.
• Many errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and usage impede communication and undercut the writer’s credibility.