Evaluation Criteria for Academic Writing Assignments

Name:
Title:
Grade:

	Sociological Content/Analytical Skills		Writing Skills
A	Understands the author's argument and perspective; critically analyzes the reading assignments, synthesizes the text with other class materials, and conveys insightful personal observations.		Paper is well organized (includes thesis statement, introduction, body, conclusion) Sentences are carefully crafted. Paper avoids triteness and generalizations. No grammatical or spelling errors; correct in-text citations and bibliography at the end of the paper.
B	Same as an A paper - but not as well developed. Understands the author's argument and perspective, critically analyzes the reading/ viewing assignment, synthesizes class materials, and conveys insightful observations.		Basically well organized (includes thesis statement, introduction, body, conclusion and citations), but the paragraph structure may be sometimes disjointed. The paper may have some awkward passages & some errors in punctuation, spelling, and grammar. In-text citations and bibliography is provided.
C	Same as B paper, but more sketchy in addressing the authors' theses and points of view; little synthesis and hardly any references to other class materials.		Although the paper lacks a stated thesis, the writing is competent but wordy, general, imprecise, or trite. Sentences may be awkwardly constructed, but their meaning is clear; minor spelling and grammatical errors. Some citations are provided in text and in bibliography.
D	Mainly personal observations; demonstrates little understanding of the authors' theses.		Lacks clear thesis and organization; language is muddled as to be unclear; errors in spelling and grammar; did not follow instructions. Required citations are either missing or incorrectly done.
F	No paper submitted

Based on Prof. William Lutz's A Guide to Writing in the Liberal Arts (Dept of English, Rutgers University).