Grading Contract

Proposed Grading Contract

Please read and suggest any changes you think are needed.

General Student Responsibilities:

  • Students are responsible for anything the professor says in class.
  • If a student knows ahead of time that they need to leave early, they will tell the professor.
  • Students will not interrupt, insult, or disrespect others in class.
  • All formal essays are due at the beginning of class on the due date, following the format requirements in the syllabus.
  • Students may revise essays for a higher grade as many times as desired, but the grade will only be raised if students make substantial revisions.
  • Food and drinks can be fine, as long as you clean up.
  • Ways of participating:
    • Being present in the classroom and doing any in-class writing
    • Listening attentively to others
    • Responding thoughtfully and respectfully to classmates’ ideas
    • Showing signs of engaging with the discussion by commenting in class, asking questions, or writing in the online forum
    • Showing signs of keeping up with the readings, through notes, annotations, and relevant questions and comments
    • Volunteering to read from the text, respond when questions are posed to class or if called on
    • Respond to peer drafts and online writing in meaningful ways
  • Obvious non-class activities or long breaks away from the classroom without permission do not count. While you do not need to comment in each class, regularly commenting to give the class the benefit of your ideas and demonstrate that you are keeping up with work is in the spirit of A-level participation.

 Instructor’s Duties

  • Return assignments in a timely manner (by the following week, unless it’s a revision).
  • Respond to student questions outside of class in a timely manner (within 24 or 48 on the weekend).
  • Provide thorough feedback for improvement on written work.
  • Treat students with respect and grade according to the policies on which we decide.
  • Teach required essay genres, as well as the other genres we decide on as a class.
  • Teach classes on time and only once; if a student is absent, he or she should ask a classmate about missed material.
  • Update the course website with any changes and read all comments posted.

Writing Expectations

A level

Exceeds many expectations for college-level writing and encourages the reader to engage with the author’s argument. The reader appreciates the author’s style and clarity.

  • Paper is logically organized, cohesive, easily followed; makes effective use of transitions;
  • Professional format; relatively free of mechanical errors; manipulates complex sentences for positive impact;
  • Demonstrates close reading by using meaningful vocabulary and concepts for positive impact; uses and manipulates subject-specific language from the readings for impact;
  • Tone is clear, consistent, and appropriate for the intended audience
  • Central idea is well developed and clarity of purpose is exhibited; abundant evidence of careful, critical thought and analysis; evidence and examples are vivid and specific.

B-level

Meets expectations for college level writing and generally does not impede the reader from engaging with the author’s argument.

  • Paper has clear logical structure but with some ambiguities or irrelevances; easily followed; basic transitions; structured format;
  • Standard format; uses complex sentences with few mechanical errors
  • Vocabulary is varied, specific and appropriate; frequently uses subject-specific language correctly; writer’s tone emerges and is generally appropriate for the audience;
  • Central idea and clarity of purpose are generally evident throughout the essay; evidence of critical careful thought and analysis; good, relevant supporting examples.

C-level

Meets some expectations for college level writing but the reader can be distracted from the argument.

  • There is some level of organization though digressions, ambiguities, irrelevances are distracting; Paper is difficult to follow with some ineffective transitions;
  • Inconsistent format; use of compound sentences; distracting mechanical errors;
  • Vocabulary is used correctly though sentences may be simple; infrequently uses subject-specific language correctly; writer’s tone exhibits some level of audience sensitivity;
  • The central idea is expressed although it may be too broad, overly general, or vague; some sense of purpose is maintained throughout the essay; some evidence of careful critical thought; some evidence is offered although it is often general.

Final Grade Responsibilities

For a grade of “A” (excellent):

  • Participates in class through the semester (see ways of participating on first page)
  • Arriving late 2 times ok (more than 10 minutes late)
  • All HW and reading done in time for class
  • “A” level quality on all written essays (including word count and formats)
  • “A” level participation in class work and discussions
  • Give useful feedback to other students in peer editing groups
  • Participate in meaningful, on time ways on course discussion forum

For a grade of “B” (good):

  • Participates in class through the semester except for two days
  • If absent on a due date, the paper must be emailed to the professor by class-time.
  • Arriving late 3 times (more than 10 minutes late)
  • 1 HW assignment can be turned in late
  • “B” level quality on written essays (including word count)
  • “B” level participation: do all class work and join most discussions
  • Gives partially useful feedback to other students in peer editing groups.
  • Participates in meaningful ways on course discussion forum (late three times ok)

For a grade of “C” (average):

  • Participates in class through the semester except for three days
  • Arriving late 4 times ok (more than 10 minutes late)
  • 2 HW assignments can be turned in late
  • “C” level quality on written essays (including word count)
  • “C” level participation: do all class work, not much participation required in discussions
  • Gives unhelpful feedback to other students in peer editing groups.
  • Participates in superficial ways on course discussion forum (late 5 times ok or not engaging with content of what others wrote or the reading)