The A Paper
Content: The author of the A paper not only exceeds expectations but also creates a paper with a clear and insightful focus. The author uses well-developed ideas, examples, and evidence. The support is ample, suitable, and selective.
Structure: The author skillfully presents an exceptionally well-developed central idea or theme, provides an engaging introduction and conclusion, and makes excellent use of transitions. Relationships between ideas are clear, and they are expressed in an organized and sophisticated manner.
Stance: This author’s stance is evident in that he or she presents and maintains a keen level of (in)formality and distinctive perspective. The author is fully aware of his or her audience and makes conscious rhetorical choices.
Conventions: The author of the A paper also displays outstanding control of writing conventions (grammar, usage, mechanics, punctuation, and spelling) and uses these features to enhance the effectiveness of the paper. The author’s writing needs very little, if any, editing.
The B Paper
Content: The author of the B paper goes beyond normal expectations. This author provides a consistent, predictable focus and uses good ideas, examples, and evidence. The support is sufficient, appropriate, and varied.
Structure: The author logically develops a central idea or theme. The author employs a successful introduction and conclusion and displays effective use of transitions. Relationships between ideas are logical and orderly.
Stance: This author’s stance is controlled; the level of (in)formality is consistent throughout the work and the perspective is clear. The author is aware of his or her audience and makes suitable rhetorical choices.
Conventions: The author of the B paper also displays very good control of writing conventions (grammar, usage, mechanics, punctuation, and spelling). The author’s writing needs minimal editing.
The C Paper
Content: The author of the C paper meets expectations. His or her writing shows satisfactory focus and sufficient use of ideas, examples, and evidence. The support is generally sufficient, appropriate, and varied.
Structure: The author adequately develops a central idea or theme, provides an effective introduction and conclusion, and makes competent use of transitions to connect ideas. Relationships between ideas may seem forced or predictable.
Stance: This author’s stance is adequate. He or she shows acceptable level of (in)formality and reasonable perspective. The author shows some awareness of his or her audience and makes some effort to demonstrate rhetorical choices.
Conventions: The author of the C paper also displays satisfactory control of writing conventions (grammar, usage, mechanics, punctuation, and spelling). The author’s writing demonstrates reasonable control but modest editing may be necessary.
The D Paper
Content: The author of the D paper only partially fulfills expectations. His or her writing shows weak focus and limited use of ideas, examples, and evidence. The support is insufficient, inappropriate, and limited.
Structure: The author inadequately develops a central idea or theme, has an ineffective introduction and conclusion, and makes inadequate use of transitions. Relationships between ideas are not clearly developed.
Stance: This author’s stance shifts. He or she shows inconsistent level of (in)formality and weak perspective. The author is unaware of his or her audience and makes inconsistent rhetorical choices.
Conventions: The author of the C paper also has weak control of writing conventions (grammar, usage, mechanics, punctuation, and spelling). The author’s writing requires substantial editing.
The F Paper
Content: The author of the F paper fails to meet expectations. His or her writing shows inconsistent focus and insufficient use of ideas, examples, and evidence. The support is absent, unsuitable, or indiscriminate.
Structure: The author has deficient development of a central idea or theme; has an inappropriate or missing introduction and conclusion; and has no use of transitions. Relationships between ideas are illogical and unclear.
Stance: This author’s stance is unsuitable. He or she shows inappropriate level of (in)formality and unclear perspective. The author fails to communicate stance or attitude and is oblivious to his or her audience.
Conventions: The author of the F paper also has no control of writing conventions (grammar, usage, mechanics, punctuation, and spelling). The author’s writing requires extensive remediation and editing.
Adapted from materials from Penn State, The National Writing Project, and LA Tech.