African American List

Learning outcomes

0-14 (F)

15-17 (D)

18-19 (C)

20-22 (B)

23-25 (A)

Analysis and critical discussion of major themes, values, technique, and style

(Did you use analysis and critical thinking to explore the text thoroughly?)

No analysis or critical discussion. No awareness of major themes, values, technique, and style

Little evidence of analysis – barely moves beyond summarizing the text

Little awareness of major themes, values, technique, and style

Some analysis and critical discussion of the text

Some awareness of major themes, values, technique, and style

Demonstrates ability to interpret and critically evaluate the text

Considerable awareness of the interplay of major themes, values, technique, and style

Demonstrates a sophisticated ability to interpret and critically discuss the text, making reference to the interplay of major themes, values, technique, and style

Familiarity with the text and ability to use the text as supporting evidence for assertions

(Did you use examples effectively to support your position?)

Little familiarity with the text- no use of the text to support assertions

Some familiarity with the text evidenced by occasional paraphrase or reference to the text. May omit quotation altogether or quote excessively with little or no commentary

Familiarity with the text evidenced by some details and use of quotation, but choice of quotation may not be necessarily appropriate or lack explanation of its relevance

Considerable familiarity with the text evidenced by concrete, relevant details and good use of quotation accompanied by adequate commentary

Thorough familiarity with the text evidenced by concrete, relevant details and precise, insightful use of quotation

Organization and Content—the response to the essay assignment

(Did you write an essay with a clear organizational plan/focus?)

(Did you follow the requirements for the essay?)

No organizational plan/lacks focus.

No significant response to the essay assignment

Attempts to follow an organizational plan but missing most components that would develop the focus

Minimal response to part of the essay assignment

Has a clear but elementary structure/focus

General response to the essay assignment but omits major aspects

Well organized; clear plan/ focus is supported but lacks distinction and/or development

Has a lucid response to the essay assignment, which refers to all significant aspects of the topic.

Well organized; clear plan/focus is supported with well developed, coherent, balanced paragraphs

Has lucid, significant, perceptive response to the essay assignment, which is fully developed.

Standard, Edited, American English (SEAE ) -- Mechanics

(Are your spelling, punctuation & grammar usages correct?)

MLA Page and Documentation Formats: Follow guidelines for Page Setup and for Internal Citations and Works Cited Entries

(Did you us proper MLA format for In-text Citations and Works Cited Entries?)

SEAE errors are so pervasive as to disrupt seriously and consistently the essay’s readability

Page Formatting is minimal or non existent.

In-text Citations/Works Cited Entries are incorrect

/inaccurate or non existent.

SEAE errors are so pervasive as to disrupt consistently the essay's readability

Page Formatting contains multiple errors.

In-text Citations are barely present.

Works Cited Entries are incorrectly formatted.

SEAE errors occasionally disrupt the essay’s readability

Page Formatting contains a few errors.

In-text Citations are attempted but have several formatting flaws.

Works Cited entries are present but have several formatting flaws.

SEAE errors are minimal or limited as not to disrupt the essay’s readability in any way.

Page Formatting contains a few errors which do not detract from the overall quality of the paper.

In-text Citations are present but are not formatted precisely.

Works Cited Entries are present but are not formatted precisely.

SEAE errors are absent or limited as not to disrupt the essay’s readability in any way.

Page Formatting contains few to no errors.

In-text Citations are complete and contain few/no errors in formatting.

Works Cited Entries are complete and contain few/no errors in formatting.