Essay-grading Criteria:

An essay in the A range is based on an  original, logical and coherently organized
set of inspiring ideas; it holds a clearly discernible and persuasive position (even if
the reader disagrees with its argument); its thinking is consistently and clearly
articulated: words carry thought, they don't obscure it; sentences use only the words
their ideas require, not any more; its paragraphs are distinctly related to the essay's
larger argument; if appropriate it accurately and thoughtfully uses other sources;
and its sentences are without the grammatical, spelling or typographical mistakes
that exacting proofreading would catch.  (All of this takes a lot of work)

An essay in the B range: a very good paper, founded on solid, persuasive thinking,
the writing of which is clearly and effectively executed.  What usually prevents an
"A" is a lack of originality, thorough thinking or careful proofreading.  If two of
these virtues are absent, the essay will usually earn a grade in the B range.

An essay in the C range: some conspicuous flaw usually earns an essay a C; its
argument is really underdeveloped, it is disorganized, its diction is consistently
inarticulate, it is in dire need of proofreading.

A D essay either contains more than one of the large problems cited in the "C"
description or finds another way to convince its reader that the author has not spent
nearly enough time on the thinking or writing in the essay.

An F essay misses on all criteria (originality, articulateness, persuasiveness,
organization, the absence of writing mistakes) or is handed in very late.  (Most
grades below C are earned this way, in fact.)
 

Exception: In case the writer chooses to write in the style following Écriture féminine then
the process needs to be evolving so that the reader at one points ends up with
understanding at least one point.  This method, however, since we are actually not there
yet, may be reserved for creative and otherwise unique writing.  For the firm essays that
serve as assignments for this class the instructor reserves the right to request (not demand,
not force, not urge) “traditionally” styled and conceptualized essays.