A paper earns an "A" when it ...

• responds fully to the assignment
• expresses the assignment's purpose clearly and persuasively
• begins and ends effectively
• contains a concise and coherent thesis
• provides adequate supporting arguments, evidence, examples and details
• is well-organized and unified
• uses appropriate and direct language
• correctly acknowledges and documents sources
• is free of errors in grammar, punctuation, word choice, spelling, and format
• maintains a level of excellence throughout and shows originality and creativity in realizing the above in a distinguished way

A paper earns a "B" when it ...

• realizes the criteria for an "A" fully in a superior way but shows little or no originality or creativity and contains a few, relatively minor errors or flaws

A paper earns a "C" when it ...

• realizes the criteria for an "A" in a satisfactory way but contains either many minor, or a few serious, errors or flaws. A "C" paper may show great creativity and originality, but those qualities do not make up for poor or careless writing. A "C" paper usually looks and reads like a rough draft.

A paper earns an "D" when it ...

• fails to realize some elements of the criteria for an "A" adequately, shows little or no originality or creativity and contains many serious and some minor errors or flaws. A "D" paper usually looks and reads like a first draft.

A paper earns an "F" when it ...

• fails to realize most elements of the criteria for an "A" adequately, shows little or no originality or creativity and contains many serious and minor errors or flaws. An "F" paper usually looks and reads like a draft supported by no effort.