ENGLISH COMPOSITION: A Guide to the Possible Dream PART I: Policies & Procedures PART II: Course Descriptions PART III: Library Information PART IV: Evaluation of Compositions

Characteristics of an A, B, C, D, and F Essay The A Essay Worthwhile content distinguishes the A essay. The introduction engages the readers and clearly states a thoughtful, perceptive thesis; the support is concrete and so rich in detail that readers learn by reading the essay. The ideas are logically organized to achieve maximum effect; transitions are graceful. Sentences flow smoothly, showing creativity and variety. The writer is obviously comfortable with his or her material and knows enough about the subject to explain it in great detail. Few, if any, errors distract the reader from the writer's superior thought.

The B Essay
The typical B paper also offers insight and detailed information, but is perhaps a bit less original than the A paper. The introduction states clearly the controlling idea and sets up the essay's organization. Effective supporting details make the essay worthwhile reading, and sentence-structures emphasize ideas. Strong transitions add to the essay's coherence; the diction is lively and appropriate. The writer knows the subject well enough to explain it without making mechanical errors that distract readers.

The C Essay
The essay is competent in all major areas of composition. The writer has something to say and says it directly and clearly. The introduction states the thesis and sets up the paper's organization. The central idea is worthwhile, but the writer doesn't offer any particularly fresh insight on the subject. The essay meets the requirements of the assignment and contains sufficient supp orting details to make the overall point clear to readers, but leaves them with unanswered questions: why? how much? to what extent? The sentences are correct, though perhaps lacking in variety or emphasis. Some awkwardness indicates that the writer may not be completely in command of the subject or is still struggling with the ideas.

The D Essay
The essay has some serious problems. Although the writer seems to have an idea about the subject, the thesis is vague, the development skimpy. Readers have trouble following the writer's line of thought because of jumbled organization. Sentences are awkward or immature, and mechanical errors add to readers' difficulties, suggesting that the writer worked in haste, perhaps without taking time to understand the subject thoroughly.

The F Essay
The essay lacks competence in one or more of the major areas of composition. Readers have difficulty discerning a thesis or pattern of organization, the ideas are undeveloped or incoherent, and problems in sentence structure, usage, and mechanics render the essay unacceptable as college-level writing.
 

Read a sample of an: A essay for ENG 101 B essay for ENG 101 C essay for ENG 101 D essay for ENG 101 F essay for ENG 101

Scoring Guides Chart of characteristics typical of ENG 101 essays at various grade levels (a rubric) Common Essay Scoring Guide Common Final Exam Materials

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