Grading Standards for Option 1

The work...

A

B

C

D

F

Suggests the rhetor

Has identified a clear approach to take in analyzing the text and has performed that analysis successfully by asking critical questions about the cultural/social/political assumptions informing that text, by critiquing its persuasive appeal, and by discovering within the work something that casual observation would not reveal

Has identified an approach to take in analyzing the text and has performed that analysis with some success by asking critical questions about the cultural/social/political assumptions informing that text, by critiquing its persuasive appeal, and by discovering within the work something that might not be revealed in a more casual observation

Has identified an approach to take in analyzing the text and has performed that analysis with some occasional success by critiquing the persuasive appeal of the text and discovering within the work some appeal that the casual observer might not discover.

Has not identified an approach to take in analyzing the text, but has performed only some analysis--without purpose--of the persuasive appeal of the text. Relies heavily upon description of the features of the text, without consideration of how that text is informed by cultural/political/social assumptions. 

Relies heavily on description and elaboration of those descriptions without analysis. Focuses upon cliched interpretations (persuasive appeal in the text's ability to get the audience's attention or superficial reasons for the text's persuasive success).

illustrates the rhetor's

understanding of the concepts discussed in course materials and in class and ability to apply those concepts to their reading and interpretation of the text.

familiarity with the concepts discussed in course materials and in class and ability to apply those concepts--with some success--to their reading and interpretation of the text

acquaintance with the concepts discussed in course materials and in class and ability to use those concepts--with limited success to their reading and interpretation of the text.

passing acquaintance with the concepts discussed in class--although that acquaintance does not include the ability to use those concepts in the reading and interpretation of the text.

lack of familiarity with the concepts discussed in class and, thus, the inability to utilize those concepts in the reading and interpretation of the text.

illustrates

A quality of thought that is generally ambitious and mature

That the writer is a little less ambitious in choice of intended topics or less sophisticated in the way he/she addresses her readers, although these essays clearly illustrate a maturity of thought not found in a C analysis

A quality of thought that is competent and sometimes compelling, though often standard or familiar.

Evidence of a quality of thought that is frequently stock or perfunctory.

Evidence of a quality of thought that is perfunctory, obvious, or unclear.

suggests the writer's ability

To utilize ideas and insights gained from the reading and class discussion. Such use involves incorporation of those insights into the analysis of the text, but the analysis likewise informs and expands upon insights from the reading and class discussion. Such incorporation may provide analysis, sythesis, and support.

To incorporate ideas and insights gained from reading and class discussion into his/her own texts: such incorporation may be critical and/or as support or proof.

To incorporate some ideas and insights gained from reading and class discussion into his/her own texts: such incorporation is generally as support or proof and may be done with little sophistication. Suggests the writer may have difficulty synthesizing his/her ideas about the text with ideas discussed in class and in course materials. 

To incorporate some ideas and insights gained from reading and class discussion into his/her own texts: such incorporation is only as support or proof and is done in a cut and paste fashion with little paraphrase or analysis.

(inability) to use insights gained from reading and class discussion in his/her work.