Theology Essay

A (22.5-25)

B (20-22.5 pts)

C (17.5-20 pts)

D (15-17.5 pts)

F (less than 15 pts)

Total Score

Use of Evidence & Engage-ment with Text(s)

The paper supports ALL its arguments with relevant and specific evidence, including textual evidence when needed. The paper ALWAYS provides a clear explanation for how/why the evidence defends the point the paper is seeking to make.

The paper supports ALL its arguments with evidence, including textual evidence where needed; however, the evidence is not as specific and/or relevant as it could be. The paper ALWAYS provides an explanation for how/why the evidence defends the point the paper is making; however, these explanations could be clearer and/or more developed.

The paper supports ALMOST all its arguments with evidence, including textual evidence when needed; however, the evidence is not specific and it is often ambiguous how/why it is relevant. This indicates that the writer did not read the texts and/or think about the paper topic with sufficient care. The paper does NOT always provide explanations for how/why the evidence supports the point the paper is making, and/or the explanations it offers are unclear.

The paper frequently does not support its arguments with evidence, including textual evidence when needed. This indicates that the writer did not read the texts closely and/or think about the paper topic carefully. The paper also provides only minimal explanations for how/why the evidence it provides defends the point the paper is making, and/or the explanations it offers are highly ambiguous.

The paper never, or almost never, supports its arguments with evidence, including textual evidence where needed. This suggests the writer did not read the texts and/or think about the topic with any care at all. The paper also often fails to provide explanations for how/why the evidence it does cite defends the point the paper is seeking to make, and /or the explanations it provides have little or no relation to the topic/problem the paper is addressing

A (18-20 pts)

B (16-18 pts)

C (14-16 pts)

D (12-14 pts)

F (less than 12 pts)

Total Score

Structure of Paper, Comprehen-siveness, and Coherence

The paper demonstrates exceptional organization and coherence; each section is internally sound, and it is always clear how each section of the argument relates to the sections that precede and follow it. It is also clear how all the sections of the paper together form one unified argument that answers every part of the paper topic. There are no contradictions or non-sequiturs. The paper defends the thesis precisely and comprehensively—and thus persuasively.

The paper demonstrates good organization and coherence. It is evident how each section of the argument relates to the sections that precede and follow it; however, one or more sections could be clearer internally and/or in relation to other sections of the paper. Taken together, the sections form a unified argument that addresses every part of the paper topic, and there are no contradictions or non-sequiturs; however, the overall argument needs refinement. The paper effectively defends the thesis, but the defense could be more precise and/or comprehensive.

The paper demonstrates fair organization and coherence. Each section makes some basic point; however, one or more the sections needs substantial work internally and/or in relation to other sections. Taken together, the sections form only a weak, ambiguous single argument that does not adequately address every part of the paper topic. There may be one or more contradictions or non-sequiturs. The paper attempts to defend the thesis, but does so with little attention to precision and/or comprehensiveness.

The paper demonstrates poor organization and coherence. It has one or more sections that do not make a clear point, and it is also unclear how one or more of the sections relate to other sections. Overall, it is very difficult to identify a single, overarching argument in the paper, and/or the paper does not address key parts of the paper topic. There are contradictions and/or non-sequiturs in the argument. The paper does not effectively defend the thesis.

Overall, it is difficult to define the paper as a “paper.” There is a general lack of cohesion and coherence throughout. One or more sections of the paper fail to make a reasoned point, and it is frequently unclear how one section of the paper relates to others. The paper fails to answer fundamental parts of the paper topic, and the argument contains several contradictions and/or non-sequiturs. In general, the paper fails to provide a defense for its thesis.

A (18-20 pts)

B (16-18 pts)

C (14-16 pts)

D (12-14 pts)

F (less than 12 pts)

Total Score

Critical Thinking, Sophistication, and Creativity

The paper provides a sophisticated and creative argument that demonstrates an admirable level initiative, insight, and intellectual rigor. The paper has a compelling thesis. Overall, it does excellent interpretive, critical/comparative, and evaluative work.

The paper makes a strong effort to make a sophisticated and creative argument, though the arguments needs additional insight, refinement, and/or intellectual rigor. The paper has an interesting thesis. Overall, it does good interpretive, critical/comparative, and evaluative work.

The paper demonstrates the author took the assignment seriously; however, the paper only displays a minimal effort to address the topic in a creative and intellectually challenging way. The paper has a moderately interesting thesis. Overall, it does fair interpretive, critical/comparative, and evaluative work.

The paper meets only the minimum standards of creativity and/or intellectual rigor. It is evident the author did not challenge herself/himself in crafting the argument. The paper has a banal thesis. Overall, it does poor interpretive, critical/comparative, and evaluative work.

The paper fails to make a sophisticated and/or creative argument. The paper has an unintelligible or otherwise hackneyed thesis. It does not meet the basic standards of interpretive, critical/comparative, and/or evaluative work.

A (4.5-5 pts)

B (4-4.5 pts)

C (3.5-4)

D (3-3.5 pts)

F (less than 3 pts)

Total Score

Style and Felicity of Expression

The paper’s prose is vibrant, lucid, and engaging. The language is in the active voice, except where the passive voice is more appropriate. Overall, it is a pleasure to read.

The paper’s prose is clear and interesting.

The language is mostly in the active voice, except where the passive voice is more appropriate. Overall, it is pleasant to read, though the language could be more natural and engaging at points.

The paper’s prose is accessible; however, it often employs awkward language and/or sentence construction (including the overuse of the passive voice) that muddles the paper’s argument and makes it difficult to understand.

The paper’s prose is difficult to read and understand. The language and/or sentence construction (including the overuse of the passive voice) obstructs the reader from understanding the paper’s argument.

The paper’s prose is often unintelligible.

A (4.5-5 pts)

B (4-4.5 pts)

C (3.5-4 pts)

D (3-3.5 pts)

F (less than 3 pts)

Total Score

Grammar, Mechanics, & Citations

The paper is free from significant grammatical and/or mechanical problems. The paper always cites texts properly.

The paper has a few minor grammatical and/or mechanical problems. The problems do not undermine the paper’s comprehensibility. The paper almost always cites properly.

The paper has significant grammatical and/or mechanical problems. The problems undermine the paper’s comprehensibility. The paper often does not cite properly.

The paper has major grammatical and/or mechanical problems. The problems are deeply distracting and prevent the reader from understanding the paper’s meaning. The paper rarely cites properly.

The paper does not meet the minimal standards of basic grammar and mechanics. The paper never, or almost never, cites properly.