Criteria for Evaluating Papers

An "A" paper has the following elements:

A clearly formulated central question.
Good, clear thesis statement.
Good, clear arguments; and each argument supported by evidence and/or plausible example. May offer unique arguments or evidence that others missed.
Excellent analytical and critical skills.
Paper revolves around the central question and addresses the question effectively.
Paper is well organized with few errors in sentence structure, spelling, footnotes and other mechanics.
Demonstrate sufficient research in academic literature, good command of the material, and adequate and informative reference page
Excellent job on those critical aspects of writing a good paper addressed in the general guidelines

An adequate description of the problem, but too many questions without a focus.
Thesis statement is clear, but more weakly stated than in an "A" paper.
It advances good arguments and tries to supply evidence or example to back up each one.
Good analytical and critical skills.
Paper tries to address the question.
Generally a good job. Well organized and clearly written with few errors.
Good research in academic literature and reference page is informative.
Good job on those critical aspects of writing a good paper addressed in the general guidelines

Lack of clearly stated central question or incomplete description of the problem.
Failure to address intended audience (assumes reader knows the issue; reason or evidence left unstated).
Weak or unclear thesis statement.
Does not address the question sufficiently and effectively
Arguments are advanced, but they are not clearly stated, often no sufficient evidence or example is offered. Sometimes it makes contradictory arguments.
Have some problems with articulation of ideas, transitions, organization, clarity, or spelling and mechanics.
Insufficient research in academic literature and reference page does not have adequate academic references

Lack of clearly stated central question or incomplete description of the problem.
Failure to address intended audience.
No thesis statement.
Does not address the question sufficiently and effectively.
Lack of logical arguments and evidence or examples in support of arguments. Making contradictory arguments.
Try to describe something of interest, but fail to explain something of academic significance. Simply lump things together or repeat what other people have said or reported.
Have problems with articulation of ideas, transitions, organization, clarity, or spelling and mechanics.
May do a good research in such non-academic sources as newspapers, Internet, and non-academic magazines and books, but little research is done in academic literature. No or few academic references. It looks more like a journalist article than an academic paper.

Didn't submit the paper.
Plagiarism.
Didn't do the paper topic as approved by instructor or the paper topic does not fit the course theme.
If a paper is submitted, an "F" has one or more of the following characterisics:
- Doesn't describe problem or do not have a central question.
- Poorly organized, poor development of arguments, ideas, little or no evidence offered in support of arguments made.
- Do not address any question or intended question(s).
- Overquotes. No analysis attempted
- No evidence of having read or used academic reference source.
- Generally sloppy and lack of clarity with too many typing errors, misspelled words and poor articulation.
- No reference page.
- Inaccurate information.