Grading Standards

Amir Hussain

Last Updated: August 27, 2000

I use the plus/minus system, so be aware that these ranges themselves contain a range of work.

“A” Work, Outstanding: Strong evidence of original thinking; good organization, capacity to analyse and synthesize; superior grasp of subject matter with sound critical evaluations; evidence of extensive knowledge base.

For written assignments:

Responds fully to the assignment;
Expresses its purpose clearly and persuasively;
Is directed toward and meets the needs of a defined audience;
Begins and ends effectively;
Provides adequate supporting arguments, evidence, examples and details;
Is well-organized and unified;
Uses appropriate, direct and inclusive language;
Correctly acknowledges and documents sources;
Is free from errors in grammar, punctuation, word choice, spelling and format;
Maintains a level of excellence throughout, and shows originality and creativity in realizing 1) through 7).

“B” Work, Very Good: Evidence of grasp of subject matter, some evidence of critical capacity and analytic ability; reasonable understanding of relevant issues; evidence of familiarity with the literature.

For written assignments: Realizes 1) through 9) well, but not fully and completely. Demonstrates overall ability but shows little apparent originality or creativity.

“C” Work, Average: Student who is profiting from his/her university experience; understanding of the subject matter; ability to develop solutions to simple problems in the material.

For written assignments: Realizes 1) through 9) adequately and demonstrates overall competence. Contains a few minor errors or flaws. A “C” assignment may show great creativity and originality, but those qualities don’t make up for poor or careless writing. A “C” assignment usually looks and reads like a penultimate draft.

“D” Work, Barely Passing: Some evidence of familiarity with subject matter and some evidence that critical and analytic skills have been developed.

For written assignments: Fails to realize elements of 1) through 9). Contains several serious errors or flaws, or many minor ones. A “D” assignment often looks and reads like a first draft.

“F” Work, Failure: Evidence of familiarity with only some subject matter; presence of some critical and analytic skills.

or: Little evidence of even superficial understanding of subject matter; weakness in critical and analytic skills; with limited or irrelevant use of literature.

For written assignments: Fails to realize several elements of 1) through 9). Contains many serious errors or flaws, and many minor ones as well. An assignment that violates the university’s policy on academic dishonesty (e.g. cheating or plagiarism) will at minimum receive a failing grade.