Grading Symbols

All work will be graded in/through WebCT. To view/download graded assignments, go to the "Submit Assignments Here" section, and click on "Graded" (next to "Status") under the appropriate assignment.

I will comment on your work using Word's track changes and comment features. If changes/comments are not visible when you open the graded file, click "Markup" on the View menu (comments will be in the form of notes in the margins and/or at the end of the assignment). For more information, click here.

Because I often make the same comments on student essays, I developed a "common problems" chart. Each problem/error corresponds to a number, so if you see “strange” numbers in the comments fields, refer to this grading symbols chart.

1. Missing a word/information

2. Avoid using this word/phrase--reword/restructure

3. If you have already given me the author's full name, then only use his/her last name from here on (no Miss, Mrs., Mr., etc.)

4. No contractions

5. Do not use "you": instead, use a generic word, such as "readers" or "one."

6. Make your wording/style more mature, academic, and formal

7. Use single quotation marks for a quotation within a quotation

8. Avoid passive voice: The essay was graded by Professor Martin. ►Professor Martin graded the essay.

9. Not proper MLA format

10. More detail/examples/explanation: include specific information (quotations, dates, etc.), concrete evidence (facts, statistics, etc.), and/or several examples. Overall, further develop this point or paragraph.

11. Explain example/quotation/evidence: What does it mean? How does the evidence/quotation/example support your point?

12. Relationship to thesis: how does this point or paragraph relate to your thesis? The connection between the two is not quite evident.

13. Too much summary: provide more analysis and critical insights and less background information.

14. This information not needed: for the most part, this information is unnecessary and should be omitted. Remember to focus on the issue/point at hand.

15. Need paragraph transition

16. Choppy writing (need transitions/connections between sentences). Switching ideas too quickly--how do these points/sentences relate?

17. Always put periods and commas inside quotation marks UNLESS giving a parenthetical citation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18. Not proper capitalization

19. Fragment: incomplete thought (e.g., A story with deep thoughts and emotions). Fragments can also occur when periods and/or semi-colons are used incorrectly:  EX. I need to find a new roommate. Because the one I have now isn't working out too well.
EX. UCLA offers many majors; such as electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering.

20. Run-on sent.: sentence in which two or more independent clauses are not properly joined by a semicolon or conjunction (e.g., The fog was thick he could not find his way home). Fused sentences may be fixed by inserting a semi-colon, a comma and a conjunction, or a period between the two independent clauses. 

21. Awkward sentence structure or word choice: reword/rephrase

22. Wordy: make the same point with less words

23. Repetitive: this information has already been stated one or more times and should be omitted.

24. Integrate quotation/paraphrase/example by introducing it with your own words and using proper punctuation.

25. Spelling

26. I am not following/understanding: what do you mean here?

27. Use present tense when writing about a work of art/literature, a film, an article/essay, or a website.

28. Not proper formatting: titles of novels and films should be underlined OR italicized. Titles of short stories and articles should be in quotation marks.

29. Need a topic sentence that offers a transition from the previous paragraph AND that states the main idea of the new paragraph.

30. Need a concluding sentence that summarizes the main idea/point of the paragraph AND explains the relationship between the thesis and the paragraph.

31. Subject-verb agreement

32. Pronoun-antecedent agreement