English 1301 with Nikki Slack!

Here’s the rubric I will be using when I grade your essays:

PROCESS – 40 points

• Includes any outside pre-writing activities, such as notes on theme, thesis, supporting evidence, and/or the in-class citations we did in groups (3 pts)
• Includes 1^st draft (10/16) with reflection memo (9 pts; 3 pts)
• First draft’s peer review and teacher comments (5 pts)
• Includes revised 2^nd draft (10/25) with reflection memo (9 pts; 3 pts)
• Notes from second draft’s peer workshop (5 pts)
• Final draft with reflection memo (3 pts)

CRITICAL THINKING – 120 points

5: consistently exceeds expectations

4: frequently exceeds expectations

3: consistently meets expectations

2: is beginning to meet expectations

1: consistently fails to meet expectations

0: student’s progress cannot be assessed based upon this sample

• Identifies, summarizes and appropriately reformulates the problem/question/issue.
• Connects and applies information to create a new, insightful claim or position about the issues or themes.
• Identifies and analyzes differing points of view, relationships, inconsistencies, complexities, conflicts or tensions regarding the issues presented (remember Graff and Birkenstein’s “naysayer”?). Allows thesis to be informed by these complexities and directly addresses the conflicting viewpoints when appropriate.
• Critically assesses the validity, accuracy, assumptions, conclusions, possible bias and ethical implications of own claim. Identifies problematic areas and locates sources to provide support where needed.
• Presents, assesses, and analyzes appropriate supporting evidence.
• Questions and assesses the validity, accuracy, assumptions, conclusions, possible bias and ethical implications of conflicting viewpoints and evidence – provides support for these critiques when applicable.
• Identifies and assesses conclusions, implications, and consequences, possibly by analyzing, comparing, evaluating and synthesizing key issues or themes from research with other pertinent contexts (i.e. class discussion, cultural/social/political issues, or personal experience).
• Avoids bias or faulty reasoning – such as asserting opinion as fact, making faulty cause/effect associations, or ignoring relevant evidence that contradicts the claim.

Critical Thinking Score _______ x 3 = Total Critical Thinking Pts: ________

Critical Writing – 90 points

• Introduces and concludes paper in an appropriate manner: introduction should capture reader’s attention and prepare reader for organizational structure that follows; conclusion should provide a sense of closure and application. (5 pts)
• Connects and smoothly integrates quotes into essay. (10 pts)
• Provides sufficient analysis of quotes and textual evidence presented in sources; avoids simple summary. (10 pts)
• Makes purpose and focus clear to the audience by specifically connecting a clearly stated thesis with logically organized, well-developed content. (15 pts)
• Transitions smoothly from one idea to the next. (7 pts)
• Combines clear and readable prose with convincing, thoughtful arguments. (3 pts)
• Employs appropriate academic conventions, language and style. (5 pts)
• Sentences and paragraphs are well-structured and coherent. (5 pts)
• Free from spelling, grammar and punctuation errors. (5 pts)
• Uses proper conventions of MLA style in citing and documenting all information in the text. (10 pts)
• Attaches properly formatted MLA style Works Cited Page. (10 pts)
• Meets mechanical requirements of assignment: length, margins, font, spacing, etc. (5 pts)

Subtotal ______

TOTAL GRADE: _________

If you have any questions, feel free to email me or visit me during my office hours.