Writing Program

Thesis & Motive

The major claim of the essay is complex, insightful, and unexpected.  The thesis responds to a true question, tension or problem.  It is stated clearly at the outset and evolves throughout the paper.   The introduction has a clear motive that outlines the stakes of the argument and demonstrates a meaningful context for the author’s claims.

Evidence & Analysis

The best available evidence is introduced not only to support but also to challenge and complicate the claims and stakes of the essay. It is often drawn from unexpected places, and its nuances are insightfully explored. The argument is sufficiently complex to require an explanation of how the evidence supports the essay’s claims, and evidence is used to develop new claims.

Structure

Ideas develop over the course of the essay so that the foundations established early on push the argument toward a more complex conclusion.  The structure is both logical and suspenseful or engaging.

Style

The writing is clear and concise, yet sophisticated, demonstrating sentence variety and appropriate vocabulary.  The essay is a pleasure to read.

Revision

The essay does not simply address the comments of the instructor and peer reviewers, but altogether transforms its ideas or use of evidence from the draft.  It is meticulously proofread.

Thesis &

Motive

Either the major claim is clear and arguable but lacks complexity, or else sets out to explore an intriguing idea that has not developed into a specific claim. The introduction suggests some context or stakes of the claim, but does not offer strong motivation, or the motive may remain implicit.

Evidence & Analysis

Most ideas are supported with well-chosen evidence that is sometimes explored in an insightful way, although much of its nuance may be neglected. The evidence is often integral to the development of the argument, although there may be gaps in the explanation of how the evidence supports the essay’s claims.

Structure

The argument is generally logical and presented in a straightforward way, although it may have some sequencing problems or digressions or does not consistently use transitional language.

Style

The writing is mostly clear, but may occasionally have confusing sentences or mechanical problems. It is often engaging.

Revision

The essay attempts to address the major concerns of the reviewers, but hasn’t fully resolved those concerns. It has been proofread, although perhaps not meticulously.

Thesis & Motive

The major claim is arguable—it would require some evidence to prove—but the stakes are too low. Most readers would find it too obvious, unspecific, or uninteresting. The introduction lacks a motive or is weakly motivated.

Evidence & Analysis

Evidence is usually relevant, but the essay often does not consider the most important evidence, or will present multiple examples to demonstrate the same idea. The essay makes some effort to explore the subtleties of the evidence, and may be occasionally insightful, but rarely uses evidence to complicate the argument and develop new claims.

Structure

The argument mostly makes logical sense, but the structure of the essay is confusing—jumping around, missing transitions, or taking on too many ideas at once. Or the argument itself may be too simple, leading to a predictable structure and unnecessary transitional language.

Style

The writing is generally unengaging and unsophisticated. It makes sense, but probably is too verbose, awkward, or has a recurrent mechanical problem.

Revision

The essay is either a C paper (or lower) that has been revised to a low B, or it shows no significant revision.

Thesis & Motive

The major claim of the essay is weak—vague, simple, or obvious.  The essay does not respond to a true question, tension, or problem. The introduction usually has no motive.

Evidence & Analysis

Evidence may be lacking or irrelevant.  Instead of using evidence to develop the argument, examples remain undigested and unexplored. The author may simply summarize and simplify evidence, or present it in a confusing or unhelpful way.

Structure

The argument may be too simple and so does not develop over the course of the essay. Or the argument may be incoherent or too broad, without any clear organization or transitions.

Style

The writing is generally confusing, awkward, or too verbose, and probably exhibits numerous mechanical problems.  Its diction may be inappropriate.

Revision

The essay did not change significantly from the first draft to the final draft.  Either the essay does not adequately address the criticism of peers and instructor, or the author missed opportunities for response.