Grading Criteria for Writing Assignments

Grading Criteria

• Content/Correctness (60%)
  This item is the most important. If what you say is garbage, it matters little how well you say it. In addition, be sure your paper explains everything asked for in the assignment.
• Grammar and Mechanics (20%)
  Be sure to use complete sentences, with correct grammar and spelling.
• Clarity and Style (20%)
  What you write must make sense. Avoid obscure vocabulary and long, rambling sentences. Be clear and concise. If you are not clear, then it may not be possible to distinguish what you write from garbage, and so you may lose points under the Content section as well. Also be sure to remember the audience for your paper.

Opportunities for Revision

There may be several formal writing assignments for which you will have a chance to do revision. Here is how this will work:

1. Peer Review (3-5 days prior to due date)
   We will spend about 30 minutes of a class period performing peer review. Each of you will bring an almost final draft of your paper. Then everyone will read other people's papers and fill out a comment sheet. By the end of the 30 minute period, every draft should have 2 or 3 comment sheets attached.
2. Instructor Comments (2-4 days prior to due date)
   After the peer review session, I will read each draft and the comment sheets, and make additional comments myself, followed by a "temporary" letter grade. I will then return the draft and all comment sheets to you.
3. Final Revision (on due date)
   You may then take your draft and make revisions as you see fit. Turn in your final version to me. The grade you receive on this version is your grade for the paper; the temporary grade from the previous step will not be recorded.