Thesis

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Grading Procedures for 6715 Essay

The purpose of the essay is to assess students’ performance against stated MCU learning outcomes. Adjunct faculty need to determine whether the student is learning at a mastery level. The rubric is a holistic scoring/grading tool. Tally the total number of points earned and place them in the Moodle Gradebook. The essay is worth 80 points which is 8.0 % of each student’s total grade.

Criteria Unsatisfactory

(0 – 69%; 0 – 13.9 pts)

Needs Improvement (70 – 79%; 14.0 – 15.9 pts)

Satisfactory

(80 – 89%; 16.0 – 17.9 pts) Excellent

(90 – 100%; 18.0 - 20 pts) Score

Understanding of Concepts

• Does not demonstrate understanding of course concepts.

• There is inadequate or inappropriate use of course material to support positions.

• The evidence used does not support the main argument.

• Demonstrates a limited understanding of course concepts.

• Uses relevant course material to support the central point, but support is general and broad.

• Details are lacking or inappropriately repetitive.

• Demonstrates understanding of essential course concepts.

• Strong use of evidence, primarily through course material.

• Contains appropriate details or examples.

• Demonstrates mastery of course concepts.

• Novel and robust use of evidence, mainly through course material, augmented by additional credible outside sources.

• The evidence used to support the central point is rich, detailed, and well- chosen.

Critical Thinking

• Fails to separate the argument into parts, or the parts identified are not correct or relevant.

• The links between the components are inaccurate or incomplete.

• Conclusion is inconsistently tied to the information discussed or is not supported by consistent logic.

• Separates the argument, issue, or problem into mostly relevant parts.

• The links between the components are generally clear and accurate; some points inadequately linked.

• Reasoning is sometimes vague or unclear.

• Conclusion is generally tied to the information presented.

• Successfully separates the argument, issue, or problem into relevant parts.

• The links between the components are logical and mostly clear and accurate.

• Conclusion is logical and tied to a range of information presented.

• Skillfully separates the argument, issue, or problem into relevant parts.

• The links between the components are logical and explicitly clear, accurate, and insightful.

• Conclusion is logical and reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence in priority order.

Unsatisfactory

(0 – 69%; 0 – 8.3 pts)

Needs Improvement

(70 – 79%; 8.4 – 9.5 pts)

Satisfactory

(80 – 89%; 9.6 – 10.7 pts)

Excellent

(90 – 100%; 10.8 - 12 pts)

Score

Thesis

• The thesis cannot be determined, makes no central claim, or makes a claim that is irrelevant, unclear, or self-evident.

• The goal of this essay is missing or vague.

• The thesis is stated within the introduction.

• The thesis makes a claim, but it is weak, uninteresting, or doesn’t answer the writing prompt.

• The thesis is clear and is stated within the introduction.

• The thesis makes a central claim that answers the writing prompt.

• The thesis is clearly and eloquently stated within the introduction.

• The thesis makes a central claim that answers the writing prompt, is substantive, and is articulately stated.

Structure

• The paper fails to include an introduction, body, or conclusion.

• The logical ordering and argumentative purpose of many paragraphs are unclear. As a whole, the essay rambles without apparent direction.

• Connections and transitions between paragraphs are poor, haphazard, or missing.

• The paper contains an introduction, body, and conclusion.

• Most paragraphs have a main topic that supports the thesis, but the logical ordering of paragraphs is not clear.

• Connections and transitions between paragraphs are inconsistent.

• The paper contains an introduction, body, and conclusion.

• All paragraphs have a main topic that supports the thesis, and the logical ordering of paragraphs is mostly clear.

• Connections and transitions between paragraphs are fluid and communicate a logical sequence of ideas.

• The paper contains a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

• Each paragraph communicates an efficient, valid argument in support of the thesis; paragraphs are arranged in a tight, logical sequence.

• Connections and transitions between paragraphs are clear, skillful, and coherent.

CC6715 ESSAY RUBRIC

6500 CAREER SCHOOL SEMINAR PROGRAM

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Writing Style (15 points for the category)

Criteria Unsatisfactory

(0 – 69%; 0 – 8.3 pts)

Needs Improvement (70 – 79%; 8.4 – 9.5 pts)

Satisfactory (80 – 89%; 9.6 – 10.7 pts)

Excellent (90 – 100%; 10.8 - 12 pts)

Score

Writing Style

• Sentences are unclear, fragments, run-ons, or wordy.

• There are frequent informal and inappropriate usage errors—slang is present.

• Excessive use of the passive voice and familiar tone.

• Inconsistent or improper point of view.

• Many spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors create distraction, making reading difficult.

• Sentences are mostly easy to understand, occasionally wordy or ambiguous.

• The tone of the paper is primarily formal; occasional use of passive voice or familiar tone.

• Point of view is mostly consistent and appropriate for the audience or purpose.

• Most spelling, punctuation, and grammar correct, allowing reader to progress through essay with minimal confusion.

• Sentences are clear, concise, and direct.

• Provides a tone and point of view that is consistent and appropriate for the audience or purpose.

• Essay has very few spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors that do not confuse the meaning of sentences.

• Passive voice generally avoided.

• Writing is exceptionally clear, understandable, and efficient.

• Provides a professional tone using active voice and appropriate point of view; a strong understanding of audience or purpose.

• Essay is free of distracting spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors; absent of fragments, comma splices, and run-ons.

Unsatisfactory

(0 – 69%; 0 – 2.7 pts)

Needs Improvement

(70 – 79%; 2.8 – 3.1 pts)

Satisfactory

(80 – 89%; 3.2 – 3.5 pts)

Excellent

(90 – 100%; 3.6 – 4.0 pts) Score

Admin

• Significant deviations from assignment parameters such as time limits, word limits, and cover sheet requirements.

• Some deviations from assignment parameters such as time limits, word limits, and cover sheet requirements.

• Minor deviation(s) from assignment parameters such as time limits, word limits, and cover sheet requirements.

• Complies with all assignment parameters such as time limits, word limits, and cover sheet requirements.

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