Here is an account of the way in which we grade papers in this class, and a discussion of things that you can look for when evaluating your own papers.
1. Procedures: Before grading the papers, we got together to discuss standards and to make sure that we were being consistent in our grading. On Thursday morning we met again to check some papers, to have me review the papers, and to check again for consistency.
2. Things to Check for in Your Papers: As I was reading through the papers, these are some things that I noticed that can help you evaluate your own work:
I. Thesis: This is the hardest part of a paper! In your first paragraph, beyond noting that differences and similarities between episodes exist and noting generally what those similarities and differences are, did you articulate a conclusion or thesis that your paper was going to defend? This is important for completing your thesis! In the assignment, I wrote:
"When working on your thesis, ask yourself: does this particular passage that I have chosen tell us something primarily about Beowulf and the nature of the hero, about Hrothgar and the reasons for his people's troubles, or about Grendel, his dam, the dragon and the nature of evil? This will point you in the right direction."
Here I was alerting you to the need for a thesis and encouraging you to develop one. Finally look at the end of your paper. Sometimes writers arrive at their thesis by the end of their essays, and could simply use what they think is a conclusion as the thesis.
II. Development and Organization: Although these are not the only features important to organization, they are good clues to help you evaluate how well you are developing your argument.
1. Topic sentences: If the first sentence of your paragraph is a quote or a statement of fact (plot summary), then you are not using topic sentences as effectively as you might to alert readers to what point individual paragraphs will prove.
2. Analyzing Textual Detail: Take a look at your individual paragraphs.
PLOT SUMMARY: First, look to see whether you tell what happens in the poem (plot summary) or whether you go further and explain the significance of important metaphors, events, and details. You need to get beyond telling what happens in the poem.
DETAILS AS EVIDENCE: Are your paragraphs full of general information or of specific details? You want specific details to make your argument.
EXPLAINING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DETAILS AND QUOTATIONS: Then look to see if you elaborate on the significance of those details, that you explain what they mean. Sometimes writers think that the evidence speaks for itself! When you use quotations, do you follow them with a sentence or so of explanation about the significance of the quote? If not, you are probably expecting your reader to draw your conclusions for you! Then, as a quick check, see if you have ended paragraphs with quotations. If they do end in quotations, then you know that you are not explaining the significance of your textual evidence.
THEMATIC CONNECTIONS: Are you making explicit thematic connections between episodes?
3. Grammar and Syntax: We follow English 102 standards for grammar, syntax, and style. If you have grammatical errors, such as comma splices, fragments, and other editing errors, your grade can be affected by them. Is your spelling correct? (For instance, a few people consistently spelled Grendel's name incorrectly!) We did not count off if people did not use proper MLA style, but that is the standard for English 102 and we expect you to use MLA style for quotations, citations, and works cited page.
Be careful to include the page numbers for each quotation in the body of your text and number the pages of your essay, please!
I hope that these comments will help you in your re-reading of your paper. We're glad to be reading your work, and would be glad to talk with you about it. Come see us before the next paper comes due! Furthermore, there is a wonderful Writing Center where you can work on your writing with additional trained professionals. It is in Room 72 and we would be happy to refer anyone who needs and wants to work on their writing.
Dr. Desmet