Essay Grading 

A:

--Responds to the question/prompt completely and in a detailed, analytical way, presenting a thesis and supporting it.

--Provides insight that goes beyond class presentation and discussion.

--Includes independent research.

--Numerous specific details included (concepts, facts, dates, names, places, statistics, etc.). and unified with the larger structure of the essay.

--Knowledge of broader historical context is obvious.

--Sentences are direct and writing is clearly organized.

--Mastery of key ideas is obvious.

--Diction is concise and complex; sentence structure is fluid and varied.

B:

--Responds to the question/prompt in a detailed, unified way.

--Numerous specific details included (concepts, facts, dates, names, places, statistics, etc.). and unified with the larger structure of the essay.

--Knowledge of broader historical context is obvious.

--Sentences are direct and writing is clearly organized.

--Mastery of key ideas is obvious.

--Diction is concise and complex; sentence structure is fluid and varied.

C:

--Responds to the question/prompt completely and in detail.

--Reference or understanding of historical context is evident.

--Clearly written using details to explain key points.

--Student understands the main ideas and demonstrates general competency in reference to the question or prompt.

D:

--Answer responds to prompt but is vague and generalized, though some understanding of course content is evident.

--Includes main ideas but lacks enough explanation and detail.

--There may be factual errors, some repetition, or both.

--Shows some preparation and organization.

--Several details are included but not explained fully or unified with the rest of the response.

F:

--Response reflects little knowledge of course content related to the question/prompt.

--May be disorganized and confusing and not answer the question directly.

--Response may be incorrect, missing the key idea(s) related to the prompt or question.

--May contain factual errors.

--May be short, or underdeveloped.