The Critical Initiative

Response to Assignment (critical thinking)

Argumentation Strategies

Organization

Language

Grammar, Usage, Mechanics

Excellent

90-100%

A

Clear and effective response to all aspects of task.

Asserts an insightful argument.

Engaging and thoughtful exploration of issues.   Writer takes intellectual risks.

Effectively and logically developed, organized, and supported by specific reasons and well-chosen examples.  Focused, sustained argument

Sophisticated, vivid word choice marked by sentence variety and clear, concise language.

Generally free from errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics.  Follows MLA documentation.

Strong

80-89%

B

Addresses assignment clearly, but responds to some aspects of task more effectively than others. Asserts a clear argument. 

Some depth and complexity of thought.  Makes logical connections in analysis.

Well organized and developed with ideas supported by relevant reasons and examples. May lack adequate quote usage.

Strong command of language with some sentence variety.

Few errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics.  Follows MLA documentation.

Satisfactory

70-79%

C

Addresses assignment, but neglects some aspects of the task. Contains an argument, but may be vague or undeveloped.

Treats topic repetitively or in a surface level manner.  . Many examples may be undeveloped or not clearly linked to argument. Occasional unclear use of logic.

Adequately organized and developed.  Ideas generally supported, perhaps in a limited way, with appropriate reasons and examples. May lack adequate quote usage.

Limited sentence variety and imprecise use of language.  May be unnecessarily wordy.

Occasional major or frequent minor errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics.  Inconsistent or careless attention to MLA documentation.

Inadequate

60-69%

D

Inadequate or inappropriate response to assignment. Does not present an argument. Summarizes text.

Lacks focus and/or logical development.  Difficult for reader to follow.  Connections unclear.

Poorly organized and developed, presenting generalizations without adequate and appropriate support.

Inadequate control of sentence structure.  Word choice may be questionable or unclear.

Accumulation of errors in grammar, usage, mechanics that frequently interfere with meaning.  Does not follow MLA documentation.

FAIL

59% and Below

Does not respond to assignment.

Unfocused, illogical, or disjointed.

Poorly organized and underdeveloped, providing little or no relevant support.

Lacks basic control of sentence structure and use of language.

Marred by frequent and serious errors in grammar and usage that severely interfere with meaning.