Discussion

Criteria

Levels of Achievement

Excellent (A)

Good (B)

Fair (C)

Deficient (D–F)

Points Earned

Content and Sources

20 to 22 points

· Thread addresses all aspects of the prompt.

· All posts show synthesis and analysis of course material.

· All posts draw support from the assigned sources in the Reading/Study folder.

18 to 19 points

· Thread addresses most aspects of the prompt with only 1 minor omission.

· All posts show some synthesis and analysis of course material.

· All posts draw support from the assigned sources in the Reading/Study folder.

16 to 17 points

· Thread addresses some aspects of the prompt.

· Focus of posts is more summative/informative than analytical.

· Posts draw support from some of assigned sources in the Reading/Study folder.

0 to 15 points

· Thread shows little understanding of the topic, OR is completely off topic.

· Posts are largely summative/informative with little to no analysis.

· Little or no use of assigned sources for the support.

**Any or all of the above are options that could indicate the content and use of sources for support is insufficient for this assignment.

Conversation

9 to 10 points

· All replies show analytical thought and foster communication and dialogue in the forum.

· Replies raise questions, offer a different point of view, or address an aspect of the topic not covered in the classmate’s post.

· The student replies to some posts on his/her own thread.

8 to 8 points

· Some replies show analytical thought and foster communication and dialogue in the forum.

· The student shows interest in continuing the conversation on the board.

· Some effort to consider questions and challenges from other classmates is evident.

7 to 7 points

· Some analysis is evident, though it may be weak.

· Interest in further dialogue and conversation is evident.

· Little to no effort is made to consider questions/challenges on own thread.

0 to 6 points

· Replies show little to no analysis.

· Replies merely agree, encourage, or offer constructive criticism but do little to add to the dialogue.

· No attempt is made to consider questions/challenges posted by the classmates or instructor.

Criteria

Excellent (A)

Good (B)

Fair (C)

Deficient (D–F)

Points Earned

Writing

8 to 8 points

· Writing reflects college-level standards in grammar and mechanics.

· Tone is informal but appropriate (use of first person and contractions is acceptable, but there is no slang or coarse language).

· Writing is clear and well-structured with unified paragraphs and strong transitions.

7 to 7 points

· There may be errors in grammar and mechanics.

· Tone is informal but appropriate.

· There may be errors in paragraph unity or development.

6 to 6 points

· Errors in grammar and mechanics detract from the clarity of purpose.

· Tone is informal but appropriate.

· Errors in paragraph unity/development detract from clarity of purpose.

0 to 5 points

· Multiple errors in grammar and mechanics.

· Excessive use of slang or any use of coarse language.

· Paragraph unity is such that no sense can be made of the writing.

Participation

5 to 5 points

· All posts submitted over a minimum of 2 different calendar days.

· All posts meet minimum word length.

4 to 4 points

· Some posts may be submitted on same calendar day, but they are at least 12 hours apart.

· All posts meet minimum word length.

3.5 to 3.5 points

· Some posts may be submitted on same calendar day.

· Some posts are too short.

0 to 3 points

· All posts submitted on same calendar day.

· All posts do not meet the minimum length requirements.

Total

Miscellaneous: Note that responses are half of the assignment. Failure to meet the 3-reply minimum can result in up to 50% deduction at the instructor’s discretion. Review the course syllabus for this assignment’s specific late policy.

Instructors Comments: