Checklist for Basic Grading Criteria for General Education and (Lower Level) Written Assignments in

Basic Grading Criteria for General Education and (Lower Level) Written Assignments in History

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Indicate the points and explanation of how the grade was determined

100 pts. or %

Unsatisfactory

(D+ or below)

Satisfactory

(C- to C+)

Good

(B- to B+)

Excellent

(A- to A)

Format and Submission:

Paper submission is correctly formatted according to syllabus and assignment instructions on length and word count

Paper formatted with numerous errors and guidelines not followed; no title page; paper saved with incorrect file name. Length and word count not met

(0 – 6.9 points)

Paper formatted with 3 or more errors; title page missing is two or more required elements; paper saved using incorrect filename. Length and/or word count not met

    (7.0 – 7.9 points)

Paper and title page formatted correctly with fewer than 3 errors; saved and submitted with correct filename. Length and word count met

 (8.0 – 8.9 points)

Paper and title page are correctly formatted with no errors; saved and submitted with correct filename. Length and word count met.

(9 – 10 points)

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Introduction and Thesis Statement:

Topic selection and thesis offer clear argument and analysis  appropriate for an academic paper

Topic is considerably too large /narrow for paper length and/or marginally related to the course; no discernible thesis or argument; many logical and factual errors; significant problems with understanding of historical content.

(0 – 13.9 points)

Topic is considerably too large /narrow for paper length and/ or marginally related to the course; thesis or argument is not clear; some logical and historical errors; paper organized more toward chronology than analysis and argument.

(14 – 15.9 points)

Topic is appropriate but too large /narrow for paper length; thesis is clear and argument is supported by facts in most paragraphs; historical context and causality are logically presented in the analysis.

(16 – 17.9 points)

Topic is appropriate for paper length; thesis is focused and argument is fully supported by carefully chosen and weighed facts in each paragraph; evidence of comprehension of historical context and causality.

    (18 - 20 points)

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Organization and Body of Essay:

Organization of the paper ( introductory, supporting, concluding paragraphs)  designed to present factual material logically and clearly to the reader

The paper is not logically organized in paragraphs; ideas fail to make sense and the reader cannot identify a line of reasoning and loses interest; little evidence of coherent organization and use of factual material.

(0 – 17.4 points)

The paper appears to be logically organized, but ideas fail to make sense in paragraph structure and inadequate coverage; the reader is unclear about what the writer intends due to poor organization and major omissions of factual material.

(17.5 – 19.9 points)

The organization of the paper generally supports the purpose or argument in the introduction, body, and conclusion; ideas are usually logically sequenced so that the reader can follow the line of reasoning and use of factual material.

    (20.0 – 22.4 points)

The organization of the paper logically supports the purpose or argument in the introduction, body, and conclusion; ideas are logically sequenced from one paragraph to another and clearly linked to each other; the reader can easily follow the line of reasoning.

    (22.5 – 25 points)

25

Historical Analysis:

Research demonstrates evidence to support thesis statement and argument made and recognition of historical significance

No sources are used for research related to thesis; only textbook and/or encyclopedias used; research is not evident in the argument in paper; use of information provides no support for the argument and displays little evidence of analysis; author appears to have gained little or no knowledge about the topic and significance of events.

(0 – 17.4 points)

One source is used demonstrating research related to thesis; textbooks and/or encyclopedias used; research is not evident in the argument in paper; use of information provides partial support for the argument and displays little evidence of analysis; author appears to have gained some knowledge about the topic and significance of events.

(17.5 – 19.9 points)

Two or more sources used demonstrating research related to thesis; no textbooks or encyclopedias used; research is partly incorporated into the argument in paper; use of information provides reasonable support for the argument and displays evidence of analysis; author gained some knowledge about the topic and significance of events.

(20.0 – 22.4 points)

Two or more sources used demonstrating in-depth research related to thesis; no textbooks or encyclopedias used; research clearly incorporated into the argument in paper; use of information clearly supports the argument and shows, in-depth analysis of a significant topic; author gained new knowledge about the topic and significance of events.

    (22.5 – 25 points)

25

Writing Style and Grammar:

Writing and grammar demonstrates effective use of language, and punctuation and spelling

The writing has substantial errors in grammar and style so that the basic ideas are lost; the writing lacks clarity and sentence structure is confusing; errors in spelling are frequent enough to be a major distraction to the reader.

(0 – 6.9 points)

The writing has more than three grammatical and stylistic errors; paper requires additional proofreading, as some errors impede the flow of the reading; sentences are not varied and passive voice is used often. More than three spelling errors.

(7.0 – 7.9 points)

The writing has one to three grammatical and stylistic errors; sentence structure is generally effectively; sentences are varied but awkward at times or passive voice is apparent.  No more than three spelling errors

(8.0 – 8.9 points)

The writing is free of grammatical and stylistic errors; sentence structure is used effectively; sentences are varied and precise; prose style is appropriate to the subject.   Active voice is apparent.  No spelling errors

(9 – 10 points)

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Use of Citation and Bibliography:

Citations and bibliography credit sources correctly using Chicago/ Turabian or APA or MLA citation rules

Footnotes/endnotes are not used and /or bibliography is not included in paper.

(0 – 6.9 points)

Footnotes/endnotes are cited and bibliography follows the correct rules for citing sources with more than three errors.

(7.0 – 7.9 points)

Footnotes/endnotes are cited and bibliography follows the correct rules for citing sources with one to three errors.

(8.0 – 8.9 points)

Footnotes/endnotes are correctly cited and bibliography follows the correct rules for citing sources.

(9 – 10 points)

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