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Criteria for papers at Grinnell College

I. Structural Coherence

1. Central Claim: Does the piece of writing include:
   1. a central claim which is supportable or
   2. a central idea that guides its structure?
2. Unity: Does the piece keep its focus?
3. Development:
   1. Does every part stand in some relation to the thesis?
   2. Do the sentences and paragraphs form an effective sequence?
4. Introduction and Conclusion:
   1. Does the opening passage:
      1. announce the principal question to be addressed?
      2. establish the rhetorical mode and diction?
   2. Does the closing passage:
      1. leave the reader with a clear sense of the central claim?

II. Conventions

1. Mechanics: Does the piece demonstrate competence in:
   1. grammar
   2. spelling
   3. punctuation
   4. standard idioms of written English?
2. Citations/Graphics: Do the quotations, footnotes, and non-narrative features:
   1. appear in conventional format?
   2. effectively support the central claim?
3. Academic Discipline: Does the writing conform to the conventions of a specific academic discipline?

III. Intellectual Engagement: Does this piece reveal a writer who:

1. is curious and involved?
2. reflects and questions?
3. acknowledges implications and internal tensions?
4. is attentive to subtleties and complexity?

Ideas to help you meet the criteria

I. Structural Coherence

1. Central Claim
   1. For the thesis, make a simple statement about your subject.
   2. Look at it critically. Ask yourself:
      – Does it do more than state the obvious?
      – Is it important, interesting and arguable?
      – Does it predict how I’m going to support it?
   3. Be succinct and clear; write the thesis in one to two sentences.
2. Unity
   1. Make sure ideas in paragraphs relate to the topic sentence and the topic sentence relates to the thesis.
   2. Make sure all evidence is relevant and accurate; delete ideas that don’t fit.
3. Development
   1. Create an outline; sketch out main subpoints with supporting evidence underneath.
   2. Emphasize important points by putting them at the beginning or end of the paragraph.
   3. Anticipate opposing arguments and deal with them.
4. Introduction and Conclusion
   1. Who is your audience? Figure out the appropriate tone and how much evidence you’ll need.
   2. Don’t start off too broadly; get to the point.
   3. Recap your argument, then ask yourself:
      SO WHAT? Make clear why it does matter.

II. Conventions

1. Vary your sentence length.
2. Put the main idea in the main clause.
3. Use active voice, vigorous verbs and real subjects.
4. Delete redundant and blah sentences.
5. Use your dictionary. Read the entire entry. Resort to a thesaurus with a critical eye.
6. Avoid jargon, clichés, slang, and sexist language.
7. Observe and imitate good writers; take risks.

III. Intellectual Engagement: As you read:

1. Think about values and assumptions underlying what you read.
2. Make a reading outline; delineate the author’s
   thesis and subpoints.
3. Question the author’s thesis. Is it convincing? Does it leave you with questions?
4. Look for tension in a text; make a chart of opposing themes.