Contents
Getting Started
Why include writing in my courses?
What is writing in the disciplines?
Useful Knowledge
What should I know about rhetorical situations?
Do I have to be an expert in grammar to assign writing?
What should I know about genre and design?
What should I know about second-language writing?
What teaching resources are available?
What should I know about WAC and graduate education?
Assigning Writing
What makes a good writing assignment?
How can I avoid getting lousy student writing?
What benefits might reflective writing have for my students?
Using Peer Review
Why consider collaborative writing assignments?
Do writing and peer review take up too much class time?
How can I get the most out of peer review?
Responding to Writing
How can I handle responding to student writing?
How can writing centers support writing in my courses?
What writing resources are available for my students?
Using Technology
How can computer technologies support writing in my classes?
Designing and Assessing WAC Programs
What designs are typical for WAC programs?
How can WAC programs be assessed?
More on WAC
Use the list below to view some representative grading sheets.
Composition 1xx Grading Sheet
| Strengths | Weaknesses | |
| I. Introductory paragraphs
A. Lead-in B. Thesis (narrowed topic + clear stance) |
||
| II. Body paragraphs: (Effective transition, clear focus, development with details, clear transitional words) A. Body paragraph one
B. Body paragraph two C. Body paragraph three D. Body paragraph four E. etc.
|
||
| III. Conclusion | ||
| IV. Punctuation, grammar, style, spelling |
Grade for essay: ___________
Revision Instructions:
Sample Report Evaluation
Name:_________________
Subject:_________________
Must have:
| 5 | __cover |
| 5 | __title page |
| 5 | __table of contents |
| 5 | __report |
| 5 | __pictures |
| 5 | __diagrams |
| 5 | __map |
| 5 | __bibliography (3 sources) |
| 5 | __information page (notes) |
| 5 | __glossary (at least 10 words) |
| 5 | __oral reading and presentation |
| 5 | __neatness |
__ total points
DETAILED REPORT EVALUATION
Cover:
Title page:
Table of contents:
Report:
Pictures:
Diagram:
Map:
Bibliography:
Information page:
Glossary:
Oral presentation:
Neatness:
Grade ____
Evaluation of Written Report
| Score | Possible Points | Feature | Comments |
| Subject: | |||
| 10 | relevant & important topic | ||
| objectives defined & possible | |||
| scope suitably restricted | |||
| 30 | Content: | ||
| amount of information | |||
| accuracy of information | |||
| value of information | |||
| analysis of data adequate | |||
| interpretation logical | |||
| 15 | Organization & Expression: | ||
| conciseness | |||
| clarity | |||
| arrangement of information | |||
| 20 | Format (Specified Style): | ||
| citations and references in | |||
| correct style | |||
| tables and legends | |||
| figures and legends | |||
| margins | |||
| headings | |||
| 15 | Grammar & Usage: | ||
| puncutation | |||
| spelling | |||
| grammar | |||
| word usage | |||
| 10 | Miscellaneous | ||
| neatness | |||
| adherence to schedule | |||
| initiative & originality | |||
| other comments | |||
| _____ | 100 | TOTAL | |
Science Project checksheet
GENERAL 50 POINTS
1. Correct form (15)
Reference list (3)
Citation of sources(2)
Mechanics (order, table of contents, list of tables, list of figures, cover) (5)
Layout (5)
2. Composition skills (10)
Spelling (5)
Grammar (5)
3. Log book used to record experimental data, ideas, etc. (10)
4. Abstract (10)
5. Acknowledgments (5)
TOTAL GENERAL: _________
EXHIBIT 50 EXTRA CREDIT POINTS
1. Summarized project well (30)
Problem and hypothesis easy to understand (5)
Experimental method clearly stated (10)
Results summarized in graphs/tables (10)
Conclusion presented (5)
2. Eye appeal (10)
Neat lettering (3)
Pleasing placement of parts (2)
Good use of color (3)
Sturdiness (2)
3. Creativity (10)
TOTAL EXHIBIT POINTS: _______
TOTAL PROJECT: ______
General Grading Criteria: Composition 1xx
- Consistently, clearly and effectively communicates it purpose to its audience in all areas of writing: Consistently clear focus, sufficient development, and coherent in terms of organization and style. The ideas are also well thought-out and worthwhile.
- Strong in most areas, but intermittently deficient in one area of containing minor problems in more than one area. For instance, the essay may be strong in all areas but have some problems with audience contact, portions may lose focus or be underdeveloped, or there may be some distracting inconsistencies or errors in style (coherence).
- The essay generally does the main job of the assignment—so it maintains its purpose. But it’s either intermittently deficient in two categories or consistently deficient in one. For instance, there may be intermittent problems with both audience contact and development, or the whole essay may be consistently underdeveloped.
- The essay is consistently deficient in two areas—for example, consistently unfocused and underdeveloped to the degree that the deficiencies undermine the purpose of the essay. An unfocused and underdeveloped essay, for instance, would not be able to convey its message to a reader in any significant way. The essay could also have enough serious problems in a combination of areas that the purpose is undermined. It could also miss a major portion of the assignment—like an essay which has no connection to the assigned topic.
- This is an essay that either was not turned in, or is so deficient in so many areas that it might just as well not have been. Or, it could be an essay which completely misses the assignment altogether.
For more information on grading criteria, see What Makes a Good Writing Assignment?