Fall 2016 Course Syllabi

B 80-92

C 70-79

D 60-69

F Below 60%

Policy on Plagiarism:

You are responsible for knowing and understanding the school’s policy regarding

academic honesty. This policy includes plagiarism: the use of someone else’s ideas as your own. You

may use the ideas and language of others in your writing, but you must acknowledge the source (using in-

text citations and a Works Cited page).

Course Withdrawal Deadline

Thursday, November 10

is the last day to withdraw from the course.

Writing Assessment Criteria

Criteria

Performance Measurement Indicators

Audience and

Purpose

Clearly defines topic and purpose (inform, describe, persuade, etc.). Demonstrates

understanding of the information needs and interests of the audience.

Structure

Adheres to organizational pattern and structure of required rhetorical mode (Narration,

Description, Comparison and Contrast, Argument, Process Analysis, Classification and

Division, Research Report, etc.).

Title and

Introduction

Connects with audience using interest-generating forecasting title. Introduction utilizes

an effective opening strategy appropriate to the subject (i.e.; question, anecdote,

startling statistic, example, story, quotation, etc.). Includes a clearly written thesis

statement that effectively identifies topic and author’s focus.

Body

Supporting paragraphs are organized logically and effectively in spatial, emphasis, or

chronological order. Each supporting paragraph contains a focused topic sentence that

supports the thesis. Each paragraph is unified; all sentences support the topic sentence,

using concrete evidence and details. Paragraphs are coherent; ideas flow logically

through the paragraph. Appropriate transitional words or phrases signal changes in

support or content. Transitions make logical connections (items in a series, result or

cause, summary, etc.), spatial connections (directions, proximity, distance), or

chronological connections (frequency, duration, sequence of events).

Conclusion

Conclusion utilizes effective closing strategy without introducing new ideas. Offers

sense of completeness. Reinforces thesis statement. Concludes with summary,

recommendation, call to action, comment on broader implications, or prediction.

Word Choice,

Tone, and Style

Word choice is varied, imaginative, precise, & appropriate to topic and audience.

Phrasing is concise and fluent. Avoids clichés, triteness, overstatement, and inaccurate

or shallow vocabulary. Sentences are varied in length and type. Uses consistent tense.

Words clearly convey intended meaning. Tone is appropriate to topic, purpose, and

audience. Makes appropriate use of 1

person conversational writing style for informal

or narrative writing, or appropriately uses 3

person for formal writing.

Grammar and

Mechanics

Adheres to conventions for standard grammar. Sentences are correctly structured,

clear, concise, and logically organized. No errors in spelling, punctuation, or usage.

Document

Document meets all formatting requirements for margins, type style, white space,