_adapted from Department (Division) of Communication documents
this document last updated 1/15/21 ( orig.3/15/12)
Senior Seminar
Grading Criteria
As the capstone course for your work in your major, achieving a passing grade in this course is essential in order to graduate. Determination of your actual grade in this course centers on the quality of the research project & paper as well as the overall performance in the course/seminar. Consequently the criteria for grading are more course- specific than the Professor's overall grading criteria.
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"A" level paper = | -Quality research (approx. 15 sources: majority = academic sources) | |
- Review of the Literature is well written & well transitioned | ||
- Follows APA style sheet | ||
- All deadlines met for proposals, drafts & final paper. | ||
-All sections adhere to the notes provides throughout semester concerning content (as per course readings & class discussions) | ||
"B" level paper = | -Quality research (approx. 15 sources: majority = academic sources) | |
- Review of the Literature is well written & well transitioned | ||
- Follows APA style sheet | ||
- All deadlines met for proposals, drafts & final paper. | ||
-All sections adhere to the notes provides throughout semester concerning content (as per course readings & class discussions) | ||
"B" papers do not exhibit the same diligent work & critical thinking required for "A" grades. While the content is good, "B" papers contain an average of 2 edits per page for grammar/citation/transition issues} | ||
"C" level paper = | - Research is minimal or lacking (too few academic sources) | |
-Writing is problematic in each section | ||
- Below college-level language usage (e.g. an average of 3 edits per page for grammar/citation/transition issues} | ||
- Below college-level critical writing (e.g. Review of the Literature cannot be read without edits.) | ||
- All deadlines met for proposals, drafts & final paper. | ||
"D" level paper = | - Research is minimal or lacking (too few academic sources) | |
-Writing is problematic in each section | ||
- Below college-level language usage (an average of 5 edits per page for grammar/citation/transition issues} | ||
- Below college-level critical writing (e.g. Review of the Literature cannot be understood as written.) | ||
-Does not exhibit understanding of content requirements for each section. | ||
- Deadlines not met. | ||
- In meetings with professor, student cannot clearly explain meaning of written material | ||
"F" level paper = | - Paper cannot be understood by reader(s) | |
- Writing and content confusion | ||
- Lack of understanding of critical reading and writing | ||
- Deadlines not met | ||
- In meetings with the professor, student cannot clearly explain meaning of written material. | ||
-Does not pass course |
additional FYI:
Additional grading
criteria for classes which
include
Writing Proficiency classification
(e.g Senior Seminar,
Dynamics of Human
Comm.)
> an "A" Paper {...exceptional...}
-provides interesting and relevant thought points for the reader (even for one who is well versed in the subject)
expresses complex & nuanced insights & connections among concepts
- analyzes &/or applies previously studied principles and ideas
- exhibits good language skills: strong vocabulary / structural competence / creative but accurate phraseology
- uses grammar & mechanics in an error-free manner and provides an effortless experience for the reader
> a "B" Paper {... effectively competent...}
- attempts some complexity & nuanced distinction among ideas
- provides a clear point/ thesis which is developed, not merely stated
- demonstrates clear organization and understanding of structure
- exhibits good language skills: strong vocabulary / structural competence / creative but accurate phraseology
- uses grammar & mechanics in an essentially error-free manner & reader's experience is mostly smooth
> a "C" Paper {... minimally competent...}
- meets the basic expectation for this level of study [e.g. introductory, advanced, capstone, etc.]
- expresses a point although possible simplistic or unclear
- demonstrates recognizable organization, although might contain problems in logical sequence of points
- exhibits adequate language skills, however, without much insight or sophistication
- uses grammar and mechanics correctly with only minor problems
> a "D" Paper {... marginal ...}
- provides some valid points but the reader must work hard to find them
- has at least one valid core point, although it may not be fully clear
- exhibits a difficult-to-follow structure /\ Ideas do not lead clearly from one point to the next.
- language usage is "off"
- exhibits consistent and/or serious errors in grammar and mechanics [e.g. comma splice, fragment, run-on, etc.]
> an "F" Paper {...missed the mark...}
- does not fulfill the assignment
- does not present an apparent point or clear direction
- exhibits serious errors and lack of understanding of the expectations for a college level paper. Minimal grammatical competence is expected of all
students.
>
NB: Any submission exhibiting any degree of
plagiarism
[incremental / copy-&-paste
/ full
scale lifting]
will result in a zero for the paper and
possibly an "F" for the course (see
College of Communication & the Arts Statement on Academic Integrity)