Grading Standards for Scientific Writing

an A paper. . .

• clearly establishes the context and purpose for writing

• anticipates and responds to the needs of the audience

• persuasively develops the subject matter

• is organized logically and clearly

• uses carefully focused, emphatic, and concise sentences

• chooses words for their precise meaning

• uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation

• follows the conventions of scientific presentation (format, documentation, graphics, and so forth)

a B paper. . .

• has a specific context and purpose, but these may be less clearly defined than in an A paper

• responds appropriately to the audience but may not anticipate their needs

• thoughtfully develops the subject matter, but the evidence may be less persuasive

• is generally organized logically, but the organization may not be readily apparent

• uses generally clear sentences, but they may be wordy or lack focus

• uses words accurately but may have some unnecessary jargon or a few overly general or vague words

• has few problems with grammar, spelling, or punctuation

• generally follows the conventions of scientific presentation

a C paper. . .

• often does not have a clear context for writing; it will generally have a purpose, but the purpose may not be readily apparent

• may have only a vague sense of audience or respond inappropriately for the audience

• is likely to treat the subject matter superficially

• will have some sense of organization, but the organization may be illogical or artificial; transitions are likely to be choppy or weak

• will have generally understandable sentences, but they may be awkward, wordy, or rambling

• may contain vague, inappropriate, or overly general words

• may have several problems with grammar, spelling, and punctuation, but these generally do not prevent understanding

• often does not follow the conventions of scientific presentation

a D paper. . .

• generally lacks a sense of context or purpose

• may show little understanding of the needs of the audience

• may show little understanding of the subject matter or may be incomplete

• is likely to be organized illogically or randomly

• is likely to have many problems with sentence structure and coherence that impede understanding

• is likely to use many vague and imprecise words or much inappropriate jargon

• may have many problems with grammar, spelling, and punctuation or may have a few problems of such severity that the paper is difficult to understand

• may show little awareness of the conventions of scientific presentation

an F paper. . .

• may respond inappropriately to the assignment

• may be very brief and undeveloped or include much irrelevant information

• may show little understanding of sentence structure

• may use words inappropriately

• may have many severe problems with grammar, spelling, and punctuation

For more information, contact the Writing Across the Curriculum program.