CliftonStrengths Reflection Paper

CONTENT

ORGANIZATION

EXPRESSION / DlCTION

MECHANICS

(GRAMMAR, PUNCTUATION, SPELLING, ETC.)

Excellent

A

(85%)

Exceeds requirements

Intelligent consideration and knowledge of topic with considerable originality of thought

Interaction with the ideas

Carefully selected details which support general statements and central thesis

Comprehensive coverage of topic

Considerable and varied quotes used (from video, readings – text/reserve, handouts, lectures)

Good synthesis evident among various subject areas represented

Creative introduction and conclusion

Various parts of the essay effectively tied together

Writing flows smoothly, with effective paragraphs and transitions

Effective plan of development

Clear, controlled, and fluent diction

Fluency with course terminology

Effective variety in sentence type, length, and structure

Effective subordination and co-ordination

Appropriate, lively, and wide-ranging word choice

No grammatical errors

Sentence fragments, if present, are used deliberately for effect and emphasis

Impeccable punctuation and spelling

Evidence of careful proofreading

On time

(If exceeds word count, first cleared with instructor)

Proficient

B

(75%)

Meets requirements

Clear central thesis

Effective development of the topic

Good coverage of the topic

Good engagement with topic but little originality

Some quotes used to support ideas

Appropriate details most of the time

Clear introduction, body and conclusion

Unified, well-developed paragraphs

Effective paragraph transitions; sentence transitions sometimes conventional

Specific plan followed fairly consistently

Appropriate use of course terminology

(definitions not needed)

Clear and reasonably fluent

Appropriate sentence variety

Satisfactory subordination and co-ordination

Appropriate, clear, and correct word choice

A few minor errors which do not reduce the clarity of communication

Clear, accurate indication of source

Good title page

“Works Cited” page

Word count

Satisfactory

C

(65%)

Adequately limited central thesis

Adequate knowledge; ideas may be conventional

Details may be repetitious, but must be accurate

Adequate coverage of topic

Reasonably adequate introduction, body and conclusion

Adequate paragraphs but some are needlessly long or short

Mechanical or abrupt transitions

Specific plan but emphasis sometimes misplaced

Clear and functional

Some sentence variety

Subordination and co-ordination usually correct

Correct but unimaginative word choice

Minor errors and a few major errors which sometimes impede communication

Meets min. word count (paper length)

Not Acceptable

D

(55%)

Ambiguous central thesis, insufficiently limited

Writer demonstrates some understanding of topic, but ideas are mainly obvious

Insufficient, unclear, or inaccurate details

Identifiable but mechanical introduction, body and conclusion

Some paragraphs inadequately developed

Transitions may be weak or ill-chosen

Plan of development barely apparent

Fairly clear, but functional and occasionally awkward

Little sentence variety

Overuse of co-ordination

Limited and sometimes inaccurate word choice

Many minor and several major errors which result in clumsy writing

F

(50% and below)

Central thesis not clear and topic not limited

Limited knowledge; trite ideas

Insufficient, inappropriate, or illogical details

No clear introduction or conclusion

Paragraphs not sufficiently unified or developed

Transitions poor and inappropriate

Confused order of development and misplaced emphasis

Frequently awkward

Almost no sentence variety

Excessive use of co-ordination or simple sentences

Restricted vocabulary (frequently inaccurate, dependence on slang)

Frequent errors which seriously impede communication