Grading criteria for a reflective essay (C. Yarnoff 2009)
Contributor: C. Yarnoff, Writing Program, csy771@northwestern.edu.
Posted: 2009
Comments: I distribute this list of grading criteria as students are revising their first assignment, a reflective essay. The handout is intended both to inform students of what I will be looking for in assessing their revisions and to reinforce the general suggestions I gave them in our conference about their first drafts.
An “A” paper:
• Has a well-focused main idea that is developed throughout the essay.
• Is logically organized so that readers follow the development of the main idea easily.
• Clearly explains the underlying premise and key points.
• Addresses major questions and counter-arguments that readers are likely to raise.
• Has well-focused paragraphs with clear topic sentences.
• Offers relevant quotes and paraphrases to support main points. Accurate source citations are provided.
• Has the relatively informal, personal style of a reflective essay.
• Has an introduction that engages the audience and establishes the paper’s focus.
• Has a conclusion that provokes readers to keep thinking about the main idea.
• Has sentences that are concise, direct, appropriately varied in structure, and mechanically correct.
A “B” paper has many of the same qualities as the “A” paper but one or more of the following problems:
• A key question or counter-argument that is not answered in sufficient detail.
• Insufficient support in a paragraph or two.
• Wordiness in several sentences.
A “C” paper has many of the same qualities as the “B” paper but one or more of the following problems:
• Several paragraphs have insufficient support and explanation.
• Introduction does not clearly establish the paper’s focus.
• Conclusion does not provoke readers to keep thinking about the main idea.
• A large number of sentences are wordy.
A “D” paper has some of the following problems:
• Organization is difficult to follow.
• Paragraphs lack focus.
• Audience questions and counter-arguments are not addressed.
• There is minimal support and explanation.
• Style is inconsistent.
• There are many wordy, grammatically incorrect sentences.
• There are many typographical errors.
An “F” paper fails to meet the basic requirements of the assignment. It has some or all of the following problems:
• Lacks a clear main point.
• Has no apparent organization.
• Has no support.