Humanities Homework Help

Meets Expectations

Writer’s thesis is lucid, focused, and goes beyond common knowledge to explore an idea/issue/question/theory that is complex and interesting to readers. The thesis gives the essay a clear and meaningful purpose, which is clarified early on and develops throughout the essay.

Minimal Expectations

Writer’s thesis is limited in establishing common knowledge to explore an idea/issue/question/theory that is complex and interesting to readers. The thesis gives the essay a partially clear purpose, which is clarified early on and develops throughout the essay.

Does Not Meet Expectations

Writer’s thesis is missing.

Meets Expectations

Writer selects powerful, relevant evidence from sources, such as summary, quotation, or paraphrase, and uses them to support his or her own ideas or questions. Writer summarizes ideas/concepts from sources to offer context for readers not familiar with the sources. Writer demonstrates effective use of signal phrases and end citations with each quotation, paraphrase, or summary of sources.

Minimal Expectations

Writer selects some evidence from sources, such as summary, quotation, or paraphrase, and uses them to support his or her own ideas or questions. Writer provides limited summaries of ideas/concepts from sources to offer some context for readers not familiar with the sources. Writer demonstrates minimal use of signal phrases and end citations with each quotation, paraphrase, or summary of sources.

Does Not Meet Expectations

Writer provides no relevant evidence from sources to support his or her own ideas or questions. Summaries of sources are missing. Writing no information to readers not familiar with the sources. Writer provides ineffective use of signal phrases and end citations with each quotation, paraphrase, or summary of sources.

Meets Expectations

Writer explores central idea through thoughtful analysis and reflection. Analysis might include one or more of the following: exploring a significant tension, considering multiple perspectives, considering implications and/or assumptions in a text or idea, applying a text or theory as a lens, and/or asking questions that help the writer understand his or her topic more fully. Writer uses evidence to set up his/her own ideas/claims/questions and maintains a conversation with the sources, instead of just dropping quotes, facts, or expert opinions without commentary or analysis. Writer demonstrates willingness to consider and engage alternate viewpoints (if appropriate).

Minimal Expectations

Writer provides minimal exploration of the central idea through limited analysis and reflection. Analysis might include one or more of the following: exploring a significant tension, considering multiple perspectives, considering implications and/or assumptions in a text or idea, applying a text or theory as a lens, and/or asking questions that help the writer understand his or her topic more fully. Writer uses limited evidence to set up his/her own ideas/claims/questions and maintains minimal conversation with the sources, instead of just dropping quotes, facts, or expert opinions without commentary or analysis. Writer demonstrates willingness to consider and engage alternate viewpoints (if appropriate).

Does Not Meet Expectations

Writer’s exploration of the central idea through analysis and reflection is missing. Missing analysis of one or more of the following: exploring a significant tension, considering multiple perspectives, considering implications and/or assumptions in a text or idea, applying a text or theory as a lens, and/or asking questions that help the writer understand his or her topic more fully. Writer provides no evidence to set up his/her own ideas/claims/questions. Writer provides no conversation with the sources, drops in quotes, facts, or expert opinions without commentary or analysis. Writer no willingness to consider and engage alternate viewpoints (if appropriate).

Meets Expectations

Writer engages in sustained analysis (answering questions like “how,” “why,” and “so what?”) as claims and evidence are discussed. Writer clarifies what is at stake in the discussion or why an issue/idea matters (the implications and consequences of the essay’s main claim or question). Writer shows awareness of, and anticipates, audience response. Writer’s argument develops and evolves as the essay progresses.

Minimal Expectations

Writer engages in limited analysis (answering questions like “how,” “why,” and “so what?”) as claims and evidence are discussed. Writer provides minimal clarification for what is at stake in the discussion or why an issue/idea matters (the implications and consequences of the essay’s main claim or question). Writer shows awareness of, and anticipates, audience response. Writer’s argument has limited development as the essay progresses.

Does Not Meet Expectations

Writer has missing analysis (answering questions like “how,” “why,” and “so what?”) as claims and evidence are discussed. Missing clarification of what is at stake in the discussion or why an issue/idea matters (the implications and consequences of the essay’s main claim or question). Writer little or no awareness of, and anticipates, audience response. Writer’s argument has no development as the essay progresses.

Meets Expectations

Writer’s introduction effectively leads readers into the complex claim or question the paper will examine. Writer’s organization moves back and forth between evidence and claims that connect to each other and to the main claim or question guiding the paper. Writer’s conclusion culminates the discussion appropriately by pursuing implications or answers to “so what?” The ending avoids unnecessary repetition and/or summary of the paper, and leaves readers still thinking.

Minimal Expectations

Writer’s introduction minimally leads readers into the complex claim or question the paper will examine. Writer’s organization partially moves back and forth between evidence and claims that connect to each other and to the main claim or question guiding the paper. Writer’s conclusion culminates the discussion minimally by pursuing implications or answers to “so what?” The ending avoids unnecessary repetition and/or summary of the paper, and leaves readers still thinking.

Does Not Meet Expectations

Writer’s introduction fails to leads readers into the complex claim or question the paper will examine. Writer’s organization fails to move back and forth between evidence and claims that connect to each other and to the main claim or question guiding the paper. Writer’s conclusion fails to culminate the discussion appropriately by pursuing implications or answers to “so what?” The ending has unnecessary repetition and/or summary of the paper.

Meets Expectations

Writer’s essay shows strong command of the conventions of Standard Written English. Care is shown with spelling, sentences, and punctuation (evidence of proofreading and editing). Writer edits and crafts for clarity, coherence, and/or emphasis. Clear transitions connect paragraphs and sentences. Writer shows an awareness of audience and establishes a tone that is consistent with the writing’s rhetorical context and purpose. Writer shows care in formatting, including in-text citations and other requirements of the specified documentation style (e.g., works cited page).

Minimal Expectations

Writer’s essay shows minimal command of the conventions of Standard Written English. Care is shown with spelling, sentences, and punctuation (evidence of proofreading and editing). Writer partially edits and crafts for clarity, coherence, and/or emphasis. transitions partially connect paragraphs and sentences. Writer shows some awareness of audience and establishes a tone that is consistent with the writing’s rhetorical context and purpose. Writer shows limited care in formatting, including in-text citations and other requirements of the specified documentation style (e.g., works cited page).

Does Not Meet Expectations

Writer’s essay shows no command of the conventions of Standard Written English. No care is shown with spelling, sentences, and punctuation (evidence of proofreading and editing). Writer does not edit for clarity, coherence, and/or emphasis. No transitions connect paragraphs and sentences. Writer shows no awareness of audience and a tone that is not consistent with the writing’s rhetorical context and purpose. Writer shows minimal care in formatting, including in-text citations and other requirements of the specified documentation style (e.g., works cited page).