| Content |
|---|
| Satisfactory (Y) |
Unsatisfactory (N) |
|---|
| Papers exhibit evidence of ideas that respond to the topic with complexity, critically evaluating and synthesizing sources, and provide an adequate discussion with basic understanding of sources. |
Papers include a central idea(s) that is unclear or off-topic or provide only minimal or inadequate discussion of ideas. Papers may also lack sufficient or appropriate sources. |
| Organization and Coherence |
|---|
| Satisfactory (Y) |
Unsatisfactory (N) |
|---|
| Documents and paragraphs exhibit some identifiable structure for topics, including a clear thesis statement, but may require readers to work to follow progression of ideas. |
Documents and paragraphs lack clearly identifiable organization, may lack any coherent sense of logic in associating and organizing ideas and may also lack transitions and coherence. |
| Argument and Support |
|---|
| Satisfactory (Y) |
Unsatisfactory (N) |
|---|
| Documents use persuasive and confident presentation of ideas, strongly supported with evidence. At the weak end of the Satisfactory range, documents may provide generalized discussion of ideas or adequate discussion but rely on weak support for arguments. |
Documents make only weak generalizations, providing little or no support, as in summaries or narratives that fail to provide critical analysis. |
| Style |
|---|
| Satisfactory (Y) |
Unsatisfactory (N) |
|---|
| Documents use a writing style with word choice appropriate to the context, genre and discipline. Sentences display complexity and logical sentence structure. At a minimum, documents will display a less precise use of vocabulary and an uneven use of sentence structure or a writing style that occasionally veers away from word choice or tone appropriate to the context, genre and discipline. |
Documents rely on word usage that is inappropriate for the context, genre or discipline. Sentences may be overly long or short with awkward construction. Documents may also use words incorrectly. |
| Mechanics |
|---|
| Satisfactory (Y) |
Unsatisfactory (N) |
|---|
| Papers will feature correct or error-free presentation of ideas. At the weak end of the Satisfactory range, papers may contain some spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors that remain unobtrusive and do not muddy the paper’s argument or points. |
Papers contain so many mechanical or grammatical errors that they impede the reader’s understanding or severely undermine the writer’s credibility. |