Grading Rubrics

I will respond to your work with a graded rubric (see below), and hope that this offers enough direction for many students.  If you would like to receive more feedback, please print out a copy of your essay or discussion forum entry and stop by my office.  I am always happy to discuss your writing with you.




Discussion Forum posting

Each posting will receive up to six points:

Length (0-2 pts)

2 = at least 400 words.

1 = at least 300 words.

0 = less than 300 words.

Content (1-3 pts)

3 = good discussion, helpful and enjoyable to read, and assertions were justified; exhibits clear evidence of having worked through the relevant readings, and incorporates those readings (where relevant).

2 = coherent discussion, possibly with minor problems of organization or understanding; or a failure to make use of class readings; or a failure to move much beyond the mere assertion of one’s opinion.

1 = serious problems in the organization, or evidence that you’ve misunderstood the topic.

Mechanics (0-1 pts)

1 = flawless writing, impeccable punctuation, with neither typos nor misspellings; concisely written (a high level of meaning per number of words used).

0 = presence of typos, misspellings, poor punctuation, or too wordy.




Comments on Discussion Forum postings

Each comment will receive up to 2 points:

2 = appropriate discussion, relevant to the entry, and helpful (namely, you respond directly to points made in the post, either offering further evidence in support of some claim, or counter-evidence against the claim). You raise at least one useful question for furthering the discussion.

1 = comment is helpful, but either too brief (less than 100 words), poorly justified, poorly written, or fails to further the discussion.

0 = comment is inappropriate, or else shows little evidence of having understood the entry, or else is nothing more than a note of praise or condemnation.




Pre-Class Case Studies

Write your case study in five numbered paragraphs following Veatch’s Five-Step Model: [1] brief statement of the problem, [2] the relevant clinical and situational facts, [3] the ethical values and principles at play in this case study, [4] the available options, and [5] the relevant stake-holders that will need to be addressed, along with that option that you think is most appropriate. See the sample case studies on the "Writing" page.

Each case study entry will receive up to 6 points:

Length (0-2 pts)

2 = at least 400 words.

1 = at least 200 words.

0 = less than 200 words.

Content (0-3 pts)

3 = Careful and well-written discussion of the case study.

2 = Good discussion of the case study, but some material is overlooked or the solution is hurried.

1 = Discussion is either too brief, hastily written, or with a number of factual errors.

0 = The entry exists, but it is in serious need of work.

Mechanics (0-1 pts)

1 = flawless writing, impeccable punctuation, with neither typos nor misspellings; concisely written (a high level of meaning per number of words used).

0 = presence of typos, misspellings, poor punctuation, or too wordy.




Reflection Essays

Each posting will receive up to six points:

Length (0-2 pts)

2 = at least 400 words.

1 = at least 300 words.

0 = less than 300 words.

Content (1-3 pts)

3 = good discussion of the film, helpful and enjoyable to read, and assertions were justified; exhibits a good understanding of the film, and incorporates relevant readings and class discussions.

2 = coherent discussion, possibly with minor problems of organization or understanding; or a failure to make use of class materials; or a failure to move much beyond a mere summary of the film.

1 = serious problems in the organization, or evidence that you’ve misunderstood the film.

Mechanics (0-1 pts)

1 = flawless writing, impeccable punctuation, with neither typos nor misspellings; concisely written (a high level of meaning per number of words used).

0 = presence of typos, misspellings, poor punctuation, or too wordy.




Extra Credit Journals

Each extra credit journal entry will receive up to 10 points:

Length (0-2 pts)

2 = at least 600 words.

1 = at least 400 words.

Summary (how well you summarized the relevant material: 0-2 pts)

2 = a perfect summary. You captured what was essential to the reading with the fewest number of words possible.

1 = irrelevant details were included, or the essence of the reading was neglected.

0 = the summary needs a complete overhaul.

Discussion (organization and understanding: 1-4 pts)

4 = excellent discussion; enjoyable to read and helpful.

3 = good discussion, possibly with minor problems of organization or understanding.

2 = coherent, adequate discussion, some problems of organization or understanding.

1 = organizational problems make the discussion difficult to follow, or else it is evident that you've seriously misunderstood the reading.

Grammar/Spelling/Mechanics (for the journal entry as a whole: 0-2)

2 = flawless writing, with neither typos nor misspellings.

1 = one to three errors.

0 = more than three errors.