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Explanation of Grading Standards (Rubric) for Exam II, Western Civilizations since 1650 (fall 2004)

There were 50 points possible in the essay section of the exam

45-50 points (an "A"; "excellent"):  The essay

• focuses clearly on the question throughout
• demonstrates mastery of general background from the lectures and textbook
• makes explicit use of all assigned documents
• consistently presents clear analysis of the content of documents in relation to the question
• consistently makes reference to specific examples from the documents
• presents a consistently logical analysis
• is free of major errors and free from major distortions of evidence

40-44 points ( a "B"; "good"):  The essay

• generally remains focused on the question
• demonstrates an understanding of the general background from the lectures and textbook
• makes use of some or all of the assigned documents
• presents some analysis of the content of documents in relation to the question
• has some references to specific examples from the documents
• analysis is generally logical, but inconsistent
• contains some factual errors or distortions of evidence, but not at a level that undermines the argument

35-39 points (a "C"; "satisfactory"):  The essay

• does not remain consistently focused on the question
• demonstrates basic familiarity with the general background from the lectures and textbook
• makes only cursory use of assigned documents
• presents minimal or no analysis of the content of documents in relation to the question
• lacks adequate references to specific examples (is vague about evidence)
• analysis is not related to evidence, is underdeveloped, or consistently illogical
• contains factual errors or distortions of evidence that undermine the argument

30-34 points (a "D"; "unsatisfactory"):  The essay

• does not focus on the question, but has some minimal content related to the topic
• demonstrates little familiarity with the general background from the lectures and textbook
• makes either no reference or only a superficial reference to the assigned documents
• presents no analysis of the content of the documents in relation to the question
• makes no use of references to specific evidence in relation to the question
• presents no analysis in relation to the question, but does make some logical argument related to the topic
• contains serious factual errors and distortions

0-29 points (an "E"; "failure"):  The essay

• has no relation to the question, and shows no understanding of the topic
• demonstrates no clear familiarity with the general background from the lectures and textbook
• makes either no reference or only a superficial reference to the assigned documents
• presents no analysis of the content of the documents in relation to the question
• makes no use of references to specific evidence in relation to the question
• presents no analysis in relation to the question and no logical argument related to the topic
• is characterized primarily by factual errors and distortions