HSSC Guidelines for Writing Papers
 

Requirements for a “C” paper:

 1.

Write on the assigned topic

 2.

Provide a thesis statement (a statement you defend/explain in the body of the paper)

 3.

Make an attempt to support the thesis with reasons, examples, evidence, and references to appropriate texts

 4.

Demonstrate that you have read the pertinent material with some attention (e.g., your details are generally accurate and your interpretations do no violence to the text)

 5.

Provide citations from assigned and other valid sources

 6.

Avoid errors of usage, style, grammar and spelling that impair understanding of the meaning of your paper
 

Requirements for a “B” paper (in addition to those for a “C” paper):

 1.

Your thesis statement is coherent and clear

 2.

Your support for the thesis is largely successful (e.g., your reasons/evidence in favor of the thesis are both plausible and relevant, your examples helpful, and your textual references pertinent)

 3.

You demonstrate a solid understanding of the material by offering clear expositions of pertinent passages and by identifying aspects of the text (or the subject matter) relevant to the issues involved

 4.

When applicable to the topic of the essay, you attempt to take the “other side” into account (e.g., you consider alternative accounts or objections to your thesis that reasonable people might bring up)

 5.

Your citations are properly done (MLA style for literature courses, APA for many others)

 6.

Your paper is largely free of errors of style, usage, grammar, and spelling
  

Requirements for an “A” paper (in addition to those for a “B” paper):

 1.

You show insight, originality, creativity, or imagination (e.g., through at least one of the following):

• A novel but well-defended interpretation of some significant view or problem
• A presentation so clear or concise that important features of the subject become more accessible to the reader than they were in the text and class discussion
• An application of the subject to a novel situation (e.g., to apply a solution to a new kind of problem, or to forge connections with other areas of endeavor)
• An illuminating reformulation of the issue under discussion
• A very perceptive argument that goes well beyond what appears in the text or was discussed in class

 2.

When applicable to the topic of the essay, you not only take the “other side” into account but actually give strong reasons why your own approach is preferable

 3.

Your paper is virtually free of distracting errors of style, usage, grammar, and spelling