Dr. Paula Clarke and Professor Ted
Hamilton
The following are the criteria we use
to evaluate student essays. For each
item, allocate a score of 1-10 points.
To score “10” on any item clearly indicates that you performed perfectly
in that endeavor.
Students are urged to keep in mind that
there is usually more than one right answer to the essay questions. However, this does not mean that there are no
wrong answers. The four or five weeks
available for preparation are therefore very helpful when used wisely. Audio-visual material presented in class has
the same value as reading assignments.
In reviewing your preparation, ask
yourself the following questions:
1.
Did I answer the question, all of the
question, and all that was implied by the question?
2.
Did I present a solid thesis, a
reasonable progression of ideas, and an appropriate conclusion?
3.
Did I allocate my time and presentation
appropriately, developing all parts of the question in balance?
4.
Did I include the best examples and
illustrations to demonstrate the validity of my ideas?
5.
Did I use the most effective
presentation techniques – are maps, tables, special features of the readings
used most effectively?
6.
Did I include and cite specific
examples from the appropriate reading material (should comprise approximately
1/3 of the essay’s content)?
7.
Did I include the most significant and
appropriate ideas from class sessions (should comprise approximately 1/3 of the
essay’s content)?
8.
Did I include my own original ideas (should
comprise approximately 1/3 of the essay’s content)?
9.
Are there factual inaccuracies in my
presentation?
10. Could/should
my essay be used as a positive example for teaching others?
Think of each dimension
in the following way and then assign each dimension a score.
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CRITERIA FOR GRADING READINGS
10% FOR EACH ELEMENT:
DEMONSTRATION OF “LINKAGES”
1.
Creative system of symbols and
technologies, demonstrating connections to other readings, class dialogue and
the questions;
2.
Demonstrations of understanding the
structure of readings;
3.
Identification of the critical terms
and language of the readings;
4.
Evidence of an active dialogue with the
ideas presented in the readings;
5.
Evidence of thoroughness and active
(re-) reading
CRITERIA FOR GRADING NOTES
10% FOR EACH ELEMENT
DEMONSTRATION OF “LINKAGES”
1. Creative
system of symbols and technologies, demonstrating connections between previous
class dialogue, readings, and the questions;
2. Demonstrations
of understanding the structure of the class dialogue;
3. Identification
of critical terms and language from the class dialogue;
4. Evidence
of graphic organization;
5. Evidence
of thoroughness and active (re-) writing
CRITERIA FOR GRADING GRAPHIC
PRESENTATIONS
20% FOR EACH ELEMENT
DEMONSTRATION OF “LINKAGES”
1. Concise
and appropriate title;
2. Coherent
and comprehensive organization;
3. Clear
symbolic communication system;
4. Evidence
of integration and citing of sources (i.e. readings, class dialogue);
5. Concise
summation or conclusion
CRITERIA FOR GRADING OUTLINES
20% FOR EACH ELEMENT
DEMONSTRATION OF “LINKAGES”
1.
Did I answer the question, all of the
question, and all that was implied by the question?
2.
Did I present a solid thesis and a
reasonable progression of ideas?
3.
Did I include the best examples and
illustrations to demonstrate the validity of my ideas (including relevant
graphic presentations from the text/other sources)?
4.
Did I include and cite specific
examples from the appropriate reading material, class dialogue, and my own
original ideas (each should comprise
approximately 1/3 of the essay’s content)?
5.
Do I have an appropriate conclusion?