A-- The introduction explodes and uses one of the techniques that we talked about in class. The writer has chosen a very original topic or has taken a fresh perspective on an already much discussed issue or common experience. An A paper complicates the text, experience, or issue at hand. In other words, the paper takes a different approach to a typical or not so typical experience. In the case of an analysis, there is a strong, original, and identifiable thesis. The paper is relatively free of mechanical errors, which are slight. There is excellent detail and a tight focus. The paper uses original word choice and does not make sweeping statements, offer broad summaries, or give meaningless abstractions. No cliches. The narration is unique and displays a definite voice. The paper flows. The conclusion does a good job of tying up the paper and perhaps pointing in a new direction but does not merely restate or bring up new issues. The writer enlightens me about something or offers me a perspective I had not thought about before reading the paper. I do not feel that this is just a retelling of a story that we have seen many times in the movies or on television. I see a lot of revision from draft to draft. I am impressed. The minority of papers will fall into this category. If I had five writers like the one that wrote this paper, I could take over the English department.
B--The introduction is interesting. The paper fulfills the assignment. Some detail, good analysis if needed, relevant examples if needed. The paper is fairly focused and seems strong. There are some rough spots or filler. The paper has a sense of structure, but does not demonstrate superior organization. Transitions are okay. A voice is either present or beginning to emerge. There are some awkward sentences, but these are few and far between. I seem some revision from draft to draft. If the paper needs a thesis, there is one but it could be better. The focus isn't too broad, but it could be narrower. The paper is the work of a talented individual with some skill in writing but is not superior. In a verbal street brawl you could sling adjectives, break apart fused sentences, and heave topic sentences better than most.
C-- The paper minimally fulfills the assignment. There is an introduction but it is fairly flat or begins with the thesis, which is unoriginal and perhaps too broad. There is little detail, little analysis if needed, and few to no examples if needed. Significant portions of the paper seem to be filler or just read flatly. The transitional sentences are weak or nonexistent. There is a conclusion, but it does little more than restate the issue or rework the introduction, or the paper ends abruptly as if the writer just suddenly reached the minimum page limit and stopped writing. The paper seems too broad and brings in meaningless examples. I understand the basic story and what is going on, but there's little beyond that and the paper seems more like a summary. Too much telling and not enough showing. The paper's author has an acceptable command of the English language and can write competently, but not expertly. Cliches dominate the paper. I see the same limited word choice over and over. The premise of the paper and the way that the paper handles that premise are unoriginal; it's like watching a made for TV movie. I have to really hunt to find evidence of revision from draft to draft. Shakespeare rolls uncomfortably in his grave. You have much to learn grasshopper. The English police will let you go for now but will have their eyes on you.
D/F-- This paper does not fulfill the assignment. It is too far from the topic. The paper is too short (25% or more of the essay is missing). There are serious recurring errors (sentences that require question marks are instead given periods. There are comma splices and fragments). The level of writing is poor. The reflection and/or analysis is superficial at best. There is no detail. The paper seems thrown together and written at the last minute. There has obviously been no proofreading. Parts of the paper seem unrelated to the topic. There seems to be no conclusion. The paper is around half of the required length. Mechanical errors interfere to such a degree that I cannot tell what the writer is saying. Little of the paper relates to the actual assignment. The horror! The horror! I break my pencils and burn my books in protest.