Essay Criteria: Difference between revisions
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== Mechanics == | == Mechanics == | ||
=== === | === Syntax === | ||
=== === | "Syntax" deals with the meaning of words. Choosing just the right word to express your meaning is an art that can never be put fully into words. It is easy to recognize inappropriate words. | ||
=== === | ==== Never misuse "hopefully." ==== | ||
=== === | "Hopefully" is an adverb, a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. If you mean "I hope," say "I hope." | ||
==== "That" vs. "Who" ==== | |||
==== "Novel" vs. "Book" ==== | |||
=== Spelling === | |||
==== capitalization ==== | |||
==== commonly confused words==== | |||
* accept/except | |||
* affect/effect | |||
* cannot | |||
* its/it's | |||
* their/there | |||
* to/too/two | |||
* you're/your | |||
==== hyphenization ==== | |||
==== correct use of apostrophe ==== | |||
* Possession | |||
* Contraction | |||
==== ==== | |||
==== ==== | |||
=== Punctuation === | |||
==== comma ==== | |||
==== colon ==== | |||
==== semi-colon ==== | |||
==== period ==== | |||
==== question mark ==== | |||
==== exclamation point ==== | |||
==== quotation marks ==== | |||
==== dash vs. hyphen ==== | |||
* Hyphens connect words: Vice-president, twenty-year-old man. | |||
* Dashes break sentences into two or more parts--like this. | |||
==== titles ==== | |||
* Titles of articles in "quotation marks." | |||
* <u>Underline</u> or ''italicize'' titles of books. | |||
==== no contractions ==== | |||
==== use gender-neutral language (GNL) ==== | |||
=== Sentence formation === | |||
==== complete sentences (inc) ==== | |||
==== no run-on sentences (r-o) ==== | |||
==== no comma-splices ==== | |||
==== agreement in number ==== | |||
==== agreement in tense ==== | |||
=== Paragraphing=== | |||
==== one idea ==== | |||
==== more than one sentence ==== | |||
==== indented ==== | |||
==== develops theme of the paper ==== | |||
==== ==== | |||
==== PROOFREAD YOUR PAPER! (PYP) ==== | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
=== === | === === | ||
Revision as of 20:49, 5 January 2011
In order to simplify the grading of student essays, I use a correction sheet on which I mark an X to indicate that the student has failed in this regard or a + to show that the student has done well.
I also write abbreviations on the essay that are explained in the handout.
Format
assigned length
typed
double-spacing
1" margins
26 lines per page
teacher's name and section ID
number each page
no covers, please
Content, argument, style
helpful title
first paragraph detailed, effective
well-focused
consistent development
formal tone
avoid colloquialisms
don't use "you"
well-organized
repetition is not development
argues for a viewpoint
provides analysis, not reactions (RP)
avoid glittering generalities (GG)
avoid rhetorical questions (RQ)
not just a list of facts
not just a summary of others' ideas
not just plot summary w/o analysis (PS)
judicious use of examples, quotes
shows understanding of readings
deals with assigned topic / readings
balanced parallels
illogical--"doesn't follow" (non seq.)
understand others before criticizing
good content, poor form
well-written, but content weak
Mechanics
Syntax
"Syntax" deals with the meaning of words. Choosing just the right word to express your meaning is an art that can never be put fully into words. It is easy to recognize inappropriate words.
Never misuse "hopefully."
"Hopefully" is an adverb, a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. If you mean "I hope," say "I hope."
"That" vs. "Who"
"Novel" vs. "Book"
Spelling
capitalization
commonly confused words
- accept/except
- affect/effect
- cannot
- its/it's
- their/there
- to/too/two
- you're/your
hyphenization
correct use of apostrophe
- Possession
- Contraction
Punctuation
comma
colon
semi-colon
period
question mark
exclamation point
quotation marks
dash vs. hyphen
- Hyphens connect words: Vice-president, twenty-year-old man.
- Dashes break sentences into two or more parts--like this.
titles
- Titles of articles in "quotation marks."
- Underline or italicize titles of books.