• Good, clear thesis statement. 
• Good, clear arguments; each argument supported by evidence and/or plausible example. 
• May offer unique arguments or evidence that others missed. 
• Paper is well organized with few errors in sentence structure, spelling and mechanics. 
• Complete and informative reference page (if necessary). 
  

A "B" paper has the following elements: 

• An adequate description of the problem.  Thesis statement is clear, but more weakly stated than in an "A" paper. 

• Advances good arguments and tries to supply evidence or example to back up each one. 

• Generally a good job. Clearly written with few errors. 

• Reference page is informative (if necessary). 

A "C" paper must have some description of the problem, a thesis, an argument and evidence. However, a "C" will have one or more of the following characteristics:

• Incomplete description of the problem.
• Failure to address intended audience (assumes reader knows the issue; reason or evidence left unstated).
• Weak or unclear thesis statement.
• Arguments are advanced, but they are not clearly stated, often no evidence or example is offered.
• May evidence problems with articulation of ideas, transitions, organization, or spelling and mechanics.

• Doesn't describe problem.
• Weakly organized, poor development of idea, little or no evidence offered in support of arguments made.
• Overquotes.
• No evidence of having read or used reference source.
• Generally sloppy with too many typos, misspelled words and poor articulation.
• No reference page.
• Inaccurate information.

• Didn't do the paper.
• Plagiarism.
• Didn't do paper as assigned.