Standards for Judging Student Portfolios, English 1010

PROFICIENT WRITING

·  achieves its specific purpose,

·  considers and adapts to its intended audience,

·  adequately develops ideas through the use of specific details,

·  carefully constructs and organizes ideas, paragraphs, and sentences, and

·  effectively uses language, including correct grammar and mechanics.

Grades on portfolios include A, B, C, and F. Portfolios are evaluated according to the criteria given below:

C

Average

The grade of C means that the essays in the portfolio constitute competent writing at the first-year college level. The essays are fairly well organized and manage to convey their various audiences and purposes to the reader. While the portfolio lacks serious sentence-level errors in the use of Standard English, the portfolio does not exhibit the vigor of expression and thought (content, organization, and development) that would entitle it to an above-average grade. C is the average in MTSU’s first-year writing program.

B

Above Average

The grade of B means that the essays in the portfolio clearly constitute above average writing at the first-year college level. The essays are logically organized, and ideas are insightfully and clearly developed, conveying their audiences and purposes to the reader. While the essays exhibit few sentence-level errors that affect clarity and meaning, the B portfolio does not sustain the style and originality of thought that characterizes the A portfolio.

A

Exceptional

The grade of A means that the essays in the portfolio constitute exceptional writing at the first-year college level. The A portfolio contains well-organized essays that convey clear audiences and purposes, along with a strong command of Standard English. The A portfolio contains all the positive qualities of proficient writing that are listed above. In addition, the essays sustain a quality of style and originality of thought, with ideas that are clear, logical, and thought-provoking.

F

Unsatisfactory

The grade of F means that the essays in the portfolio do not achieve the average proficiency in expression and thought expected from first-year college writers. The essays may lack clearly identified purposes and audiences, fail to organize and develop adequately, and/or contain serious errors in the use of Standard English. A serious breakdown in any one of the five qualities of proficient writing given above results in a portfolio grade of F.