Explanation of Essay Grades in Dr. Mercer’s Classes

I use the following criteria for assigning holistic letter grades to essays and essay exams.

An “A” essay is superior, outstanding, or excellent.

· It adheres precisely to the topic and instructions of the assignment; it impressively exceeds minimum requirements.

· It demonstrates comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the assigned works; it includes very specific supporting examples from a large number of different works.

· It is completely clear and logical in its thesis and support.

· It displays impressive insight and originality, especially in its thesis and discussion of literary works.

· It is free of mechanical errors, including serious errors (comma splices, run-on sentences, sentence fragments, agreement errors), and errors in MLA form for documentation.

A “B” essay is good, strong, or above average.

· It generally adheres to the topic and instructions of the assignment, with only slight deviations; it exceeds minimum requirements.

· It demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the assigned works; in number and quality, the specific supporting examples and works exceed minimum requirements.

· It is mostly clear and logical in its thesis and support.

· It displays some insight and originality, especially in its thesis and discussion of literary works.

· It is mostly but not entirely free of mechanical errors, including serious errors (comma splices, run-on sentences, sentence fragments, agreement errors), and errors in MLA form for documentation.

A “C” essay is adequate, satisfactory, or average.

· It addresses the assigned topic and follows most of the instructions for the assignment; it meets minimum requirements.

· It demonstrates adequate but perhaps superficial knowledge and understanding of the assigned works; its supporting references are somewhat thin but meet minimum requirements.

· Although it may contain some problems with clarity and logic, it is clear and logical enough to follow.

· It displays little insight and originality in its thesis and discussion of literary works.

· It may contain mechanical errors, including a few serious errors (comma splices, run-on sentences, sentence fragments, agreement errors), and some problems in MLA form for documentation.

A “D” essay is weak, barely passing, or below average.

· It at least partially addresses the assigned topic but does not follow some of the instructions for the assignment; it does not meet minimum requirements.

· It may show lack of understanding of at least some of the assigned works; its supporting references are weak and do not meet minimum requirements.

· It may contain significant problems with clarity and logic; it may be hard to follow.

· It lacks insight and originality in its thesis and discussion of literary works or demonstrates originality that is not consistent with the requirements of the assignment.

· It may contain some mechanical errors, including serious errors (comma splices, run-on sentences, sentence fragments, agreement errors), and problems in MLA form for documentation.

An “F” essay is very weak, unsatisfactory, or failing.

· It does not address the assigned topic and/or does not follow instructions for the assignment; it does not meet minimum requirements.

· It does not demonstrate understanding of the assigned works; its supporting references are clearly inadequate and do not meet minimum requirements.

· It is not clear and logical; it is very difficult to follow.

· It lacks insight and originality in its thesis and discussion of literary works or demonstrates originality that is not consistent with the requirements of the assignment.

· It contains mechanical errors, including serious errors (comma splices, run-on sentences, sentence fragments, agreement errors), and problems in MLA form for documentation.