The “A” Paper

The “A” paper can be identified by the student’s ability to clearly convey his/her main idea and support that idea throughout the body of the essay, making use of relevant details and examples.  The writer recognizes that someone else is going to read the work and therefore attempts to fulfill some need that will create an interest in the work.  The “A” paper is noted for its:

• Clear thesis
• Topic sentences contained in body paragraphs
• Introduction which captures the audience’s attention and conveys the mood and major idea of essay
• Conclusion which summarizes the idea of the essay and leaves the reader thinking
• Clear unity, coherence, and development
• Lack of major grammatical errors*
• Lack of misspelled words

The “B” Paper

Like the “A” paper, the “B” paper fulfills the basic requirements of what constitutes a “well-written” essay.  It contains all of the essential components, that is a clear thesis, topic sentences, an introduction and conclusion, and effective body paragraphs demonstrating unity, coherence, and appropriate development.

However, unlike the “A” paper, an essay that achieves “B” status often contains minor “glitches” that prevent it from achieving “A” status.  Examples of such might include:

• Lack of development, coherence, or unity in any one paragraph
• Occasional major grammatical errors
• Occasional misspelled words
• Minor comma faults or other minor problems with grammar

* Major grammatical errors include comma splices, fused sentences, fragments, and subject/verb agreement.

The “C” Paper

Like the “A” and “B” paper, the “C” paper also contains a thesis.  However, at times it might be either too broad, too narrow, or fail to express the author’s opinion.  Perhaps the most identifiable trait of the “C” paper is lack of development.  Either the writer will make some generalization without supporting his/her claim, or the details or examples are not sufficient to support the claim.  Areas where the “A” and “B” paper are strong, the “C” paper is usually weak.  A “C” paper can also be identified by its:

• Lack of transitions, resulting in choppy sentences
• Lack of sentence variation
• Increase in major grammatical errors and misspelled words

The “D” Paper

The “D” paper can best be identified by its lack of unity.  The details of the essay do not support the thesis, or the details in a paragraph do not support the topic sentence of that paragraph.  Other deficiencies of the D paper include:

• Faulty logic resulting from misrepresentation of facts
• Underdevelopment of the topic
• Over-reliance on unsubstantiated, broad generalizations
• Frequent misuse of words
• Numerous major grammatical errors and misspelled words

The “F” Paper

Unlike the “A”, “B”, “C”, or “D” essays, the “F” paper shows little or no evidence of a thesis, topic sentences, or a logical method of development.  It may read like a “gigantic brainstorm.”  The writer appears to have little sense of the structure of an essay or how the parts support the whole.  The “F” essay may also be identified by its:

• Lack of a thesis
• Lack of an organized structure (ex. Essays that consist of one huge paragraph)
• Excessive amount of major grammatical errors
• Excessive amount of spelling errors

**Note:  Essays that do not respond to the assigned writing prompt are penalized one letter grade.