REACTION PAPERS AND GRADING GUIDE
SOCI 210: REACTION PAPERS AND GRADING GUIDE
(E=Excellent; G=Good; S=Satisfactory; MC=Minimal Command; U=Unacceptable) Correspondance (as per UVIC’s Undergraduate Grading Policy) E=Excellent 80-100 (A+ is technically superior, showing mastery) G= Good 70-79 (B+ shows greater complexity of understanding) S=Satisfactory 60-69 (adequate understanding, meets basic requirements) MC=Minimal Command 50-59 (minimal command of material) U=Unacceptable 0-49 (failure to meet requirements) Assignment Scope The purpose of reaction papers (a.k.a. a position papers) is not merely to summarize the readings or the contents of lectures, but rather to make an analytical argument pertaining to each unit’s material. In a concise (possibly creative) way, reaction papers should draw on the key points in the readings and lectures, and they should establish connections with issues, debates, and theoretical approaches. Think of reaction papers as short essays based on each unit’s material. Before you start writing your reaction papers, ask yourself the following questions: What was the unit about? What were the main themes and approaches? Who were the key theorist? How are the main themes and key theorist related and how are they different? If you had to summarize what the unit was about to a friend, what would you say? (or what and who did you think the most important themes, theories, and theorists were?). Once you have figured out what units were about, develop an analytical argument based on each unit’s content. What argument do you think best applies to the material we have studied? Reaction papers are independent assignments. If you choose to work with others, be very careful to avoid making the same arguments. Plagiarism and academic dishonesty charges will only create problems for you. It could help to organize your reaction papers in three sections: introduction, content, and conclusion. The introduction is very important. This is where you will ‘hook’ the reader and present your thesis or argument. Your argument should be analytical, concise, and clear. Your introduction should be one paragraph (two at most). The rest of each reaction paper will remain focused on your argument. Never lose sight of your argument/thesis.
The second part of the papers will present evidence to support your arguments. Evidence will only come from course readings and lectures. Do cite lectures. not We will assume that lecture material is universal knowledge. You will need to cite direct quotes from the text.
The third part of your paper will be the conclusions. Conclusions should be brief, no more than a paragraph or two.
Papers should not exceed five double-spaced pages (one-inch margin). Include a title page and, ideally, a creative title (title pages do not count as one of the five pages).
TITLE & INTRODUCTION
E G S MC U Comments Have you provided a title that indicates the direction your reaction will take?
Do you begin with a strong hook? (a compelling first paragraph or sentence?)
Do you provide a clear statement of argument? (is your argument clear and understandable?)
Do you provide some sense of how the response will be presented or laid out?
Does your introduction capture the scope of the unit and indicate a clear line of argument?
ARGUMENT: STRUCTURE & EVIDENCE
E G S MC U Comments Is your response comprehensively based on unit material? (Do you justify omitted material from the unit?)
Is your analysis convincing? Do you accurately understand the theories and theorists?
Are appropriate theories/theorists used to support your argument? Are theories/theorists used in appropriate places?
Is your engagement with unit material thorough?
Does the response’s structure help your reader to understand and appreciate the argument? (i.e. Have you ordered your argument in a helpful way?)
Is there a clear relationship between your argument and the rest of the response?
Do you clarify the connections between ideas and sections?
Does your conclusion provide compelling closure to your argument?
WRITING STYLE
E G S MC U Comments Is your writing free of major grammar errors?
Is your writing free of minor grammar errors?
Is your writing clear? (can the reader following the text?)
Do you avoid relying on unexplained concepts?
Do you define any specialist terms for your reader?
Is your essay properly referenced? (when direct references to published course material are made)
GRADE:
Undergraduate Grading Scale
Passing Grades
Grade Point Value
Percentage *
Description
A+ A A-
9 8 7
90 – 100 85 – 89 80 – 84
An A+, A, or A- is earned by work which is technically superior, shows mastery of the subject matter, and in the case of an A+ offers original insight and/or goes beyond course expectations. Normally achieved by a minority of students.
B+ B B-
6 5 4
77 – 79 73 – 76 70 – 72
A B+, B, or B- is earned by work that indicates a good comprehension of the course material, a good command of the skills needed to work with the course material, and the student’s full engagement with the course requirements and activities. A B+ represents a more complex understanding and/or application of the course material. Normally achieved by the largest number of students.
C+ C
3 2
65 – 69 60 – 64
A C+ or C is earned by work that indicates an adequate comprehension of the course material and the skills needed to work with the course material and that indicates the student has met the basic requirements for completing assigned work and/or participating in class activities.
D 1 50 – 59 A D is earned by work that indicates minimal command of the course materials and/or minimal participation in class activities that is worthy of course credit toward the degree.