University of La Verne

Writing Standards

Writing exercises and assignments differ from class to class, but the following standards are used by faculty throughout the University of La Verne for student writing.

CATEGORY

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Content

 (25%)

Responds to the entire question; recognizes the complexity of the factors involved in dealing with the issue; thoroughly analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates the appropriate material; thesis is clear and well-defined; approach to the issue is excellent.

Responds to the question; recognizes the complexity of the factors involved in dealing with the issue, but address them superficially; analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates the appropriate material; thesis is unclear; approach to the issue is limited.

Responds to parts of the question only; recognizes some factors, but fails to identify the complexity of factors involved in dealing with the issue; analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates the appropriate material, but in a limited way; thesis in unclear; approach to the issue is limited.

Responds to the question inadequately; does not recognize the complexity of factors involved in dealing with the issue, and/or addresses the factors inadequately; inadequately analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates the material; lacks thesis statement; approach to the issue is weak overall.

Development

 (25%)

Develops thesis and generalizations thoroughly and effectively, with exceptionally strong specific details, examples, or explanations; may demonstrate originality, creativity, or factual support; is thoughtfully completed.

Develops thesis and generalizations thoroughly and effectively, with details, examples, or explanations; is complete.

Develops thesis superficially, but without much detail.

Does not develop thesis; includes very few details, examples, or explanations; may be redundant or repetitive.

Organization

 (25%)

Is very well organized; main ideas are clear and vivid; sequencing is smooth and effective.

Is organized; clearly stated main ideas with only minor problems in cohesiveness; may be formulaic; ideas appropriately sequenced.

Is not clearly organized; may wander or lack appropriate transitions, but thought can be followed.

Is disorganized, with confusing, disconnected ideas; very difficult or impossible to follow.

Language Use and Format

 (25%)

Displays consistent facility with language; variety of sentence structures from simple to complex; sophisticated, precise, clever word choice; appropriate use of idioms; no detectable grammatical, mechanical, or format errors.

Displays competence with most sentence structures; good word choice; occasional minor errors in grammar, mechanics, idiom useage, or format, but meaning is never obscured.

Meaning occasionally confused in a minor way due to errors in sentences, grammatical constructions, mechanics, word choice, idiom useage, or format.

Meaning is seriously or frequently obscured or confused due to major or frequent problems in sentence construction, grammar, mechanics, word choice, idiom useage, or format.