Tools for Evaluating Essays in Social Sciences

		Argument
A	B	C	D	F
Identifiable, plausible, insightful, innovative, answers a 'How/Why' question	Promising but unclear, not completely original. Answers a "What" question	Unclear or vague, unoriginal, does not answer a question	Hard to find thesis or argu- ment, bland restate- ment of the obvious	No identifiable thesis or argument
		Structure
Solid topic sentences, good transitions	Clear but wanders occasionally. Some unclear transitions, paragraphs without topic sentences	Unclear, wanders around. Weak transitions, paragraphs w/out topics	Unclear, confusing, few topic sentences	Unstruc- tured.
		Data
Primary sources, examples to show points, integrates quoted material seamlessly. Integrates course materials critically	Examples support most points. Some para- phrasing instead of original work. Integrates course materials uncritically	Examples for some points. Quotes poorly integrated. Lots of obvious para-phrasing. Some course materials, but not consistent.	Few examples, failure to support ideas, quotes not integrated. No course materials at all.	Sloppy usage
		Analysis
Relates evidence to topic sentences, shows new ways to think about material	Has series of mini-theses, but links sometimes unclear	Often quotes without analysis to explain them	Weakly integrated	No integration
		Logic
Argument flows logically, evaluates counter-arguments	Argument of paper is clear, makes sense. Some insightful connections to new material	Logic sometimes unclear, unsound. May not address counter-arguments	Ideas do not flow, no real argument to support	Unclear logic
		Mechanics
Correct length. Sentence structure, grammar, etc. excellent, correct use of citations, few spelling errors, no run-on sentences	A bit short. Strong sentences, grammar, etc., some minor errors	Shorter than required page length. Problems in structure and grammar but not severe	Many problems	Full of problems.

A+ =Whoa!!! I rarely expected to see a paper of this quality. Every four or five years there is a paper that is exceptional in every sense of the word. These papers are the best of the best.

A = Exceptionally fine. There are few qualities of the paper that can be faulted in any way. The language and the arguments are powerful and convincing. The text is thorough, complete, and concise. The polish is perfect (one or two errors are acceptable, but not one or two per page). The main point is valuable and original. The organization is faultless. There is a strong personal voice. The tone is appropriate and clearly developed by design (rather than by accident).

A- = Truly outstanding. Most of the characteristics of an A paper have been met, but in one or more areas (polish or originality) the product could have been better.

B+= well above the average, exemplary. Some aspect of the paper deserves to have attention drawn to it as illustrating a valuable paper. This may be the main point, the organization, the development, the tone, the style, the voice or the polish. Unfortunately, the process led to a product that was exemplary in a limited sense.

B = above average. A fine job overall. The paper is either a solid product that has some distinctive features or a paper with exceptional aspects but a shortcoming that lessens the impact.

B- = an average paper, not exceptional in any particular way. A paper that satisfies the specific requirements of the assignment without any particular panache or a paper with a balance of exceptionally good and exceptionally bad features.

C+ = a below average paper. The final product lacks depth or balance. The research might be superficial or the argument might be poorly structured.

C = a flawed paper, a paper without a main point (or with the main point hidden), with polish so poor that it is impossible to imagine that it occurred by design, a paper generating little interest or reaching an illogical conclusion.

C- = a seriously flawed paper. A paper with several flaws or with a flaw so great that it limits the value of the paper.

D = a paper wrought with problems and a tangential focus on the assigned topic.

F = on balance an utter failure, with no redeeming features. A grade of F may be earned by serious lack of effort, by failure to understand the concepts discussed/or by trying to pass off BS as a serious essay.

Modified from a handout by Robert Cluss, Department of Chemistry, Middlebury College