Grading Guidelines for Critical Review / Rhetorical Analysis A "D" paper (61-70) is one which is composed in the English language and makes at least one reference to Nancy Mairs' essay, "On Being a Cripple." In addition, it is 900 words long (three pages) with proper formatting. It indicates that the writer read Nancy Mairs' essay by making frequent reference to it. The majority of the words in it are spelled correctly, the diction more often than not is suitable, and the syntax and punctuation generally are appropriate. A "C" paper (71-80) is one that fulfills the conditions of a "D" paper, the difference being that most of the words in it are spelled correctly, most of its diction is suitable, and the syntax and punctuation in most cases are appropriate. It identifies three rhetorical strategies Mairs uses and renders a judgement with regard to her efforts. A "B" paper (81-90) is one that fulfills the conditions of a "C" paper, the difference being that almost all of the words in it are spelled correctly, almost all of its diction is suitable, and the syntax and punctuation are almost always appropriate. In addition, a "B" paper amasses evidence from Mairs' essay to support its thesis. It not only identifies three (or more) of her rhetorical strategies but also explains how they work. Moreover, it renders a coherent and thoughtful judgment regarding the effectiveness of her effort by answering these two questions: (1) "Was she successful in what she set out to do?" and (2) "If she was, why?" or "If she was not, why not?" An "A" paper (91-100) is one that fulfills the conditions of a "'B" paper, the difference being that an "A" paper displays some sensitivity regarding the nuances of language. It also integrates all of its elements so that they read smoothly. In other words, an "A" paper does not make a choppy presentation, telling the reader "here are Mairs' strategies, and this is how they work," and then, "this is how I judge her effectiveness." An "A" paper avoids such a ham-fisted approach, instead weaving its ideas about the essay into a seamless, organic review. Moreover, an "A" paper is not reactive (as a "B" paper would be) but proactive, offering its assessment of Mairs' piece aggressively from the start. It foregrounds its own thesis (somewhere in the first paragraph) and uses the remaining pages to tell the reader what he or she should think of Mairs' writing. It attempts to convince the reader to accept the writer's point of view by closely analyzing and evaluating Mairs' thesis and rhetorical methods. It uses these aspects of Mairs' essay as evidence to support its own argument, its own thesis. Basically, it picks "On Being a Cripple" apart and comes to a conclusion about it, one that the student writer attempts to make the reader share with him or her. |
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