Thesis
7 pts You have a clearly identifiable thesis that is clearly and concisely
stated.
6 pts You have a clearly identifiable thesis, but it is wordy or awkward.
5 pts It seems like you attempted a thesis, but it is hard to identify.
4 pt You have some ideas, but your thesis is unidentifiable.
3-0 pts You have no ideas or thesis at all.
Thesis Relationship to Argument of the Paper
7 pts The thesis introduces what the paper argues or discusses.
6 pts The thesis sort of introduces what the paper argues or discusses
but not very well.
5 pts The thesis is related to the topic of the paper but not well
linked.
4 pt There is barely any relationship between the thesis and the argument
of the paper.
3-0 pts There is no relationship between thesis and argument of the
paper or there is no thesis.
Reasoning/Argument
7 pts Your reasoning is clear, incorporating concrete examples and
evidence that is specifically from the reading.
6 pts Your reasoning is clear, but your references to the reading are
vague or too general.
5 pts Your reasoning is unclear sometimes, or you rarely mention examples
or provide evidence from the reading.
4 pt Your reasoning is very unclear/confusing sometimes, or you don’t
mention examples or provide evidence from the reading at all.
3-0 pts Your reasoning is unclear.
Organization
7 pts Your paper includes 1) a clear introduction that interests the
reader, 2) paragraphs that present your ideas clearly, 3) good transitions
between paragraphs that are logical and/or that “flow”, 4) a clear conclusion
that brings “closure.”
6 pts You have all of the above components in your paper, except your
writing is a bit wordy or awkward.
5 pts Your paper lacks 1 of the 4 items above.
4 pt Your paper lacks 2 of the 4 items above.
3 pts Your paper lacks 3 of the 4 items above.
2-0 pts Your paper lacks all the items above.
Inclusivity
7 pts Your paper clearly discusses how issues of gender, race, class,
sexuality, and other identity markers impact or are aspects of your ideas/topics/argument.
6 pts Your paper discusses how issues of gender, race, class, sexuality,
and other identity markers impact or are aspects of your ideas/topics/argument
but vaguely or not completely clearly.
5 pts Your paper rarely mentions how issues of gender, race, class,
sexuality, and other identity markers impact or are aspects of your ideas/topics/argument.
4 pts Your paper only mentions issues of gender, race, class, sexuality,
and other identity in passing.
0-3 pts Your paper does not mention how issues of gender,
race, class, sexuality, and other identity markers impact or are aspects
of your ideas/topics/argument.
Grammar and Spelling
5 pts Your paper has no grammatical or spelling errors.
4 pts You have a few minor errors, but they don’t distract too much
from the paper.
3 pts You have some major errors scattered throughout the paper that
are distracting, making it difficult to follow your argument.
2 pt Large sections of your paper have major errors that make it difficult
to understand your argument.
0 pts Your entire paper has major errors.
A = 36-40 points; B = 32-35 points; C = 28-31 points; D = 24-27
points; F = below 24 points