EVALUATIVE CRITERIA—DRWS 92B PORTFOLIO

The Revised and Unrevised Writing in a Commendable Portfolio displays these features:  

•  A controlling idea (a stated or implied thesis, focus, or dominant impression) which responds to the assignment and is developed in a thoughtful way.

•  Clear organization of paragraphs in relationship to one another and to the controlling idea.   Writer demonstrates effective use of introductory and concluding elements.

•  Fully developed and well-ordered details within the body paragraphs.   Writer demonstrates an ability to support the controlling idea.

•  Competent discussion of information in fully developed paragraphs either directly or indirectly on the assigned readings.   The writer may also use information from other sources such as related readings, personal experience, and observation, or class discussion.

•  Appropriate and smooth transitions between paragraphs and sentences.

•  Complete sentences with frequent use of subordination, coordination, parallel structure, and appositives.

•  Mature and consistently effective word choice and tone.

•  Infrequent grammatical and mechanical errors.

The Revised and Unrevised Writing in a Passing Portfolio displays these features:

1. A controlling idea (a stated or implied thesis, focus, or dominant impression) which responds to the assignment and is developed in a multi-paragraph, though possibly formulaic, text.
2. Clear organization of paragraphs in relation to one another and to the controlling idea.   Writer demonstrates effective use of introductory and concluding elements.
3. Paragraphs developed with adequate and well-ordered detail that supports and extends the focus of the writing.
4. The author demonstrates an ability to integrate information, including readings, experience, observation, or class discussion.
5. Adequate use of transitions between paragraphs and sentences
6. Complete sentences, most of which demonstrate subordination and coordination.
7. Appropriate choice of words and expressions.
8. Some, but not many, grammatical and mechanical errors.

The Revised and Unrevised Writing in a Not Passing Portfolio displays these features:

•  A controlling idea or focus which may be too general or too narrow.

•  Weak organization because of unclear paragraphs, or because more than one paragraph is not clearly related to the controlling idea.

•  More than one paragraph lacking development due to generalizations unsupported by detail or an incoherent ordering of details.

•  Inaccurate or minimal use of information from readings, minimal use of other sources, or excessive use of summary without adequate student comment or analysis.

•  Minimal use or inappropriate use of transitions.

•  Sentences that are unclear, repetitive, or simplistic.     (An unclear sentence might be flawed as follows:   the subject is omitted; a pronoun reference is confusing; adverbial conjunctions such as “however,” “nevertheless,” and “thus” are inaccurately used.   A repetitive sentence reveals little new information.   A simplistic sentence is short, often following a subject-verb-object pattern, with minimal coordination or subordination.)

•  Inaccurate use of words.   (For example, an inaccurate use of “its” and “it's,” “accept” and “except,” “cloths and clothes,” “there” and “their,” and so on.)

Frequent and varied grammatical and mechanical errors which cause confusion or interfere with the paper's clarity or that illustrate an inadequate ability to proofread for fragments; run-ons; lack of agreement between subject, verb, and pronoun; incorrect pronoun reference; inappropriate use of pronouns; shifts in time and person; verb tense; and the inaccurate use of commas, semi-colons, colons, and apostrophes.

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