Grading Criteria:

A rule of thumb:  if the paper satisfies all of the criteria below, it is an A paper; if it satisfies 3-4 of the criteria, it is a B paper; if only 2, it is a C paper, and if it satisfies only one criterion, it is a D paper.

Criteria:

Things we might look for:

The author's own view is clear.

•      Is the author's thesis clear?

•      Is the paper free from distracting, unnecessary, or overly ambitious claims (about "the history of humanity," for example)?

•      Does each paragraph relate to the author's overall argument?

•      Does the conclusion add to the discussion--for example, by introducing further questions, raising new issues, or considering some implications of the paper?

The author defends her or his own view.

•      Does the author offer an account to support her or his view?

•      Does the author point to evidence in the text that supports her or his claims?

•      Does the author explain or offer interpretations of quotations?

•      Does the author consider and respond to objections to her or his view?

The author discusses relevant conclusions in the text.

•      Is the paper addressing relevant parts of the text?

•      Does the author support her or his reading of the text by quoting or appealing to relevant passages?

The author explains the support for the claims she or he discusses.

•      Does the author offer explanations of the reasons which support the position defended in the text?

•      Is it clear when the author is presenting her or his own reasoning and when she or he is discussing the reasoning found in the text?

The author addresses criticisms of the claims she or he discusses.

•      Does the author present and explain possible objections to or difficulties with the position defended in the text?

Some material has been adapted, with permission, from TeachPhilosophy101, http://www46.homepage.villanova.edu/john.immerwahr/TP101/Paps/prep_exercise.htm.