Essay Criteria: Difference between revisions
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=== page refs for paraphrases (PR) === | === page refs for paraphrases (PR) === | ||
=== cite chapter and verse of scripture references (CH:VV) === | === cite chapter and verse of scripture references (CH:VV) === | ||
=== punctuating references === | |||
==== correct location of spaces ==== | |||
A space precedes (comes before) left quotation marks (") and left parenentheses -- (. | |||
We also place spaces between words. | |||
For example: | |||
* Supply the source of paraphrases (RS, 123). | |||
* Employ "quotation" (HS, 64). | |||
* Ask "questions?" (MW, 23). | |||
* Retain their "exclamation!" (WO, 76). | |||
Highlighting the spaces for those who have trouble seeing them: | |||
* Supply<span style="background:red"> </span>the<span style="background:red"> </span>source<span style="background:red"> </span>of<span style="background:red"> </span>paraphrases<span style="background:red"> </span>(RS,<span style="background:red"> </span>123). | |||
* Employ<span style="background:red"> </span>"quotation"<span style="background:red"> </span>(HS,<span style="background:red"> </span>64). | |||
* Ask<span style="background:red"> </span>"questions?"<span style="background:red"> </span>(MW,<span style="background:red"> </span>23). | |||
* Retain<span style="background:red"> </span>their<span style="background:red"> </span>"exclamation!"<span style="background:red"> </span>(WO,<span style="background:red"> </span>76). | |||
== Penalties == | == Penalties == | ||
Revision as of 21:05, 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
- The main body of the essay should have double-spacing between the lines (except, of course, for block quotations, which should be single-spaced).
- Use double-spacing, not triple-spacing between paragraphs. Microsoft Word, by default, inserts triple-spacing between paragraphs. You must learn how to change the default.
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.
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
block quotations
Single-space and indent long quotations without quotation marks (ss+i).
Placing the text in a single-spaced and indented BLOCK marks the text as a quotation. That is why quotation marks are NOT needed. The format of the paragraph has already indicated that it is a quotation.
PROOFREAD YOUR PAPER! (PYP)
References
originality
The overall work must be demonstrably your own.
evidence
Use evidence, authority, or argument to support your conclusions (EV).
give credit where credit is due (REF)
page refs for paraphrases (PR)
cite chapter and verse of scripture references (CH:VV)
punctuating references
correct location of spaces
A space precedes (comes before) left quotation marks (") and left parenentheses -- (.
We also place spaces between words.
For example:
- Supply the source of paraphrases (RS, 123).
- Employ "quotation" (HS, 64).
- Ask "questions?" (MW, 23).
- Retain their "exclamation!" (WO, 76).
Highlighting the spaces for those who have trouble seeing them:
- Supply the source of paraphrases (RS, 123).
- Employ "quotation" (HS, 64).
- Ask "questions?" (MW, 23).
- Retain their "exclamation!" (WO, 76).