The F paragraph
has a significant problem with two or more of the following things: the topic
sentence, the details, the organization, the grammar, or the diction. It typically lacks a topic sentence or
has a badly written topic sentence.
The body of the paragraph usually lacks order and makes little
sense. Details are frequently
missing or irrelevant. There are
many grammar problems and format problems. Some of the words are badly chosen,
and the tone may be inappropriate or inconsistent.
The D-, D, or D+
paragraph has a significant problem with one of the following things: the topic
sentence, the details, the organization, the grammar, or the diction. The D paragraph has fewer flaws than
the F paragraph, but it is not communicating effectively.
The C or C+
paragraph has minor problems with one, two, or three of these things: the topic
sentence, the details, the organization, the grammar, or the diction. It will
have an acceptable topic sentence although it might be slightly unclear, broad,
ungrammatical, or awkward. The support for the C paragraph is typically barely
adequate and would benefit from more details or more specific and vivid
details. The organization basically makes sense but may have one or two minor problems,
such as a badly chosen transition or an error in chronological order. There are probably between 8 to 15
grammatical or format errors in the paragraph.
The B-, B, or B+
paragraph has only a few minor problems with one of these things: the details,
the organization, the grammar, or the diction. It has a good topic sentence and
at least two-thirds of the support is well done. It will have most likely some 4 to 10 grammatical or format
errors. There is at least one exceptionally well-written sentence in the
paragraph and at least one extremely well chosen detail.
The A-, A, or A+
paragraph has an excellent thesis and strong support. It has fewer than 5 minor grammatical or format errors. It has good organization, appropriate
diction, and clear transitions.
There may be a small problem with one or two transitions, sentences, or
word choices, but the vast majority of the sentences are exceptionally well
written. Overall, the A paragraph
is clear, well supported, well organized, grammatical, and has appropriate
diction and an interesting variety of sentence structures and word choices.