HNRS 3000: How to Read Harry Potter Like a Professor

Dr. Heath A. Diehl Bowling Green State University, Spring 2012

Name: ______________________________________________ Date: ____________________ Title of Essay: ________________________________________________________________________

Analysis/Development/Support/Research250 points
Analysis & Development
Grade Point Values Description of Grade

The extent to which the author clearly demonstrates understanding of his/her ideas and exhibits critical engagement with and original critical thought
A 100-90
Essay reveals an indepth analysis of the text/texts, making insightful connections between information and ideas and exceeds the task requirements

B 89-80
Essay conveys a thorough understanding of the text/texts, making explicit connections between information and ideas and meets the task requirements

C 79-70
Essay conveys a basic understanding of the text/texts, making implicit connections between information and ideas and meets most task requirements

D 69-60
Essay conveys a superficial understanding of the text/texts, making few connections between information and ideas and only meets some task requirements

F 59-0
Essay conveys no understanding of the text/texts, making confusing and illogical connections between information and ideas and does not meet basic task requirements

Points Earned for Analysis & Development (100 possible)

Support
Grade Point Values Description of Grade

The extent to which specific textual evidence from the novel was used to prove the thesis thoughtfully and convincingly
A 75-68
Specific evidence is provided to prove the thesis thoughtfully and convincingly; evidence is wellchosen, integrated smoothly into the argument, and richly explained; author also employs proper citation and bibliography format

B 67-60
Specific evidence is provided to prove the thesis; evidence is solidly chosen, integrated into the argument via framing devices, and well explained; essay includes generally correct citations and bibliography format

C 59-52
Evidence is provided that relates to the basic purpose of the essay; evidence generally is fairly specific (but not always as richly explained as necessary) and there is some attempt at referencing/citing these examples

D 51-45
Evidence is inconsistently provided, explained, and documented; author demonstrates obvious problems working with and developing ideas in relation to source materials

F 44-0
Evidence provided has little or no relevance to the basic purpose of the essay; author demonstrates little attempt to cite specific information and/or to document this information properly

Points Earned for Support (75 possible)

Research

The extent to which current, credible, and relevant outside research was located and convincingly used to contextualize/explain the argument; the extent to which the outside research was incorporated smoothly, explained fully, and documented appropriately within the argument
A 75-68
Essay includes at least the minimum number of sources; author expertly incorporates those sources into the text smoothly and demonstrates an exemplary understanding of and a strong critical engagement with those source materials; all sources are highly credible, current, and relevant

Grade Point Values Description of Grade

B 67-60
Essay includes at least the minimum number of sources; author incorporates those sources into the text smoothly and demonstrates an understanding of and a critical engagement with those source materials; all sources are credible, current, and relevant

C 59-52
Essay includes at least the minimum number of sources; author generally incorporates those sources into the text smoothly and demonstrates an acceptable understanding of and an attempt to engage with those source materials; sources are at times credible, current, and relevant

D 51-45
Essay does not include at least the minimum number of sources; author inconsistently incorporates those sources into the text smoothly and demonstrates a poor understanding of and critical engagement with those source materials; sources exhibit problems with credibility, currency, and relevance

F 44-0
Essay does not include outside source materials

Points Earned for Research (75 possible)

A&S 250 Great Ideas * Dr. Diehl * Spring 2006 * page 1

Organization/Thesis/Focus.150 points
Criteria for Evaluation
Essay has a clear and cogent focus of ideas Essay presents a logical sequence of ideas Essay includes an engaging introduction that grabs the readers attention and maps out the larger concerns/focus of the essay Essay contains a clear, arguable, and appropriately qualified thesis statement Author employs strong, appropriate, and varied transitional devices within paragraphs Author employs strong, appropriate, and varied transitional devices between paragraphs Body paragraphs contain a topic sentence and are consistently and clearly focused Essay follows a clear and logical organizational plan Author smoothly incorporates appropriate metadiscourse to connect ideas, source materials, and analysis

Grade Point Values

A 150-135

B 134-120

C 119-105

D 104-90

F 89-0

Points Earned for Organization/Thesis/Focus (150 possible)

Audience/Word Choice/Syntax/Grammar & Mechanics100 points

Category Criteria for Evaluation Audience Awareness
Employs an appropriate tone Establishes credibility for self and ideas Maintains a consistent point of view Includes a relevant and engaging title

Word Choice
Employs an appropriate vocabulary for target audience Avoids slang, jargon, biased language Explains or defines any unfamiliar terms

Syntax
Avoids wordiness Exhibits clarity Demonstrates stylistic variation Avoids awkward phrasing Avoids redundancy

Grammar & Mechanics

Observes basic rules and conventions of grammar, spelling, and punctuation Follows the appropriate formatting guidelines Demonstrates understanding of MLA Style

Grade Point Values Description of Grade

A 100-90
Essay demonstrates exemplary command of skills in the areas of syntax, grammar, mechanics, word choice, and audience awareness

B 89-80
Essay demonstrates strong command of skills in the areas of syntax, grammar, mechanics, word choice, and audience awareness

C 79-70
Essay demonstrates competent command of skills in the areas of syntax, grammar, mechanics, word choice, and audience awareness

D 69-60
Essay demonstrates inconsistent command of skills in the areas of syntax, grammar, mechanics, word choice, and audience awareness

F 59-0
Essay demonstrates poor command of skills in the areas of syntax, grammar, mechanics, word choice, and audience awareness

Points Earned for Audience Awareness/Word Choice/Syntax/Grammar & Mechanics (100 possible)

A&S 250 Great Ideas * Dr. Diehl * Spring 2006 * page 2