Essay Grading Rubric Early Christianity
Argument/Interpretation
Essay addresses prompt completely. All parts fully
addressed.
Thesis(es)
is clear, plausible, insightful.
Key terms and concepts defined
where appropriate.
Explicit or implicit assumptions of author or
work identified when relevant.
Relevant methods
used skillfully to reach interpretation or conclusion:
historical, literary, social scientific, etc.
Relevant, convincing, and valid evidence supports
points made. Relevant and convincing example(s) are used to support, clarify,
and illustrate your thesis or interpretation. Arguments or positions of others are
accurately presented and analyzed, if used. Questions to ask
yourself: Have you given your reader convincing reasons to accept your
thesis, interpretation, or position? Are citations (from the
Biblical text or secondary sources), examples, analogies, etc. used to
illustrate, clarify, or support the thesis?
Strengths and Weaknesses
of argument or
interpretation recognized. Alternative points of view recognized and
charitably entertained. Obvious objections posed and answered. Does
the student address possible counter-evidence? Discuss the strengths and
weaknesses of his or her position? This may include a survey of alternative
approaches, interpretations, or solutions. No important evidence or
counter-evidence overlooked. Obvious objections answered.
+Creativity. Student thinks outside the box. Has an original yet
relevant take on the question or an original interpretation that he or she
supports well.
Structure/Organization
1. Structure is logical. Each paragraph
plays a role in the overall development of the thesis or interpretation. A
reader may easily outline the essay. You may want to include a "roadmap" to the
essay for the reader in the first paragaph.
2. Introductory and concluding paragraphs are strong.
3. Smooth transitions between paragraphs.
Headings and/or transitional sentences should be used to guide reader.
4. Topic sentence(s) of each paragraph clear and
easily identified.
Helpful online advice -
http://www.jimpryor.net/teaching/guidelines/writing.html Especially scroll down
to Section on “Make the Structure of your Paper Obvious" To learn more
about transitions in general, go to this helpful handout on transitions:
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/transitions.html
Spelling, Grammar, Style
Correct Spelling: Use spell check. Words spell check won't
catch: affect/effect, except/accept, it's/its, outweigh,
their/there, principle/principal, dilemma, loose/lose, family's/families,
weather/whether, to/too/two, then/than, prophesy/prophecy, alter/altar
Grammar and Style - A grammar checker can be useful:
Setting your grammar checker.
1. Long, complex passive and/or run-on
sentences avoided. ( Sue hit the ball is usually better than The ball was
hit by Sue. –unless you are emphasizing the ball on purpose .
See
Turabian 7th ed.
Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and
Dissertations. Section 11.1 (pages 109-117)--very helpful examples.
2.. Sentences do not end with a preposition.
3.. Subject/verb agreement. He is. They are.
(Not: they is)
4. Infinitives. "To run swiftly" not "to
swiftly run." "Not to run" rather than "to not run". "Try to do" not "try
and do."
5.
Thing. Avoid the use of
the words "thing(s)" or "somethin" when possible. What things?
Specify. Instead of "Courage is a key thing" write " "Courage is a
key virtue."
Citation - Cite Carefully.
Plagiarism is totally unacceptable!
1. Introduce your quotations smoothly.
Reference to the author or text is often best: As Bandstra argues, "....."
(34). As Galatians 3:12 (NRSV) says, "........... ." Turabian (7th
edition)
Manual
for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. has excellent
advice on incorporating quotations in Section 25.
2. Identify quotations with quotations marks
unless five lines or longer. Indent quotations longer than five lines.
No quotation marks required when indented.
3. Properly attribute quotations or resource materials
in a standard citation form such as MLA, Chicago Manual of Style - CMS
(University of Chicago A or B),
SBL (Society
of Biblical Literature) or APA, but with
page numbers added. Must have a "Works
Consulted" or Bibliography page.
4. Do not simply change a few words in a
sentence. If you are closely following your source, you should quote
instead.
5. Both very loose paraphrasing and use of an
idea require citation. More information on when to cite and how to cite is
available in G. Harvey, Writing with Sources. Indianapolis:
Hackett, 1998 on regular reserve and in Turabian (7th edition)
Manual
for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Sections 15
and 25.
6. Do not make up citations. Guessing about
correct source or inventing source is not acceptable.
7. Cite ALL sources used including personal
communications, internet material, other student papers, etc.
***** WHEN IN DOUBT, CITE.
If you plagiarize, you will receive at minimum a zero on the essay. For
more information about academic integrity including citing sources see the Dean
of Students site at
http://www.students.uidaho.edu/default.aspx?pid=45708
Information on
Biblical Studies Citation can be found at
Citation for Biblical Studies. I
prefer MLA, University of Chicago A or B , or Society of Biblical Literature
Citation Styles. If you use APA, please include page numbers.
The Landmark Citation Machine can be helpful. This "machine"
automatically formats in MLA and APA and Chicago (CMS)if you enter the
information correctly. You can find it at
http://citationmachine.net/ There is an online
stylebook of Society of Biblical Literature style for students at
http://www.sbl-site.org/assets/pdfs/SBLHS_SS92804_Revised_ed.pdf This helps in
particular with citing the Bible or biblical reference materials.
How to cite the Bible.
Examples: Rom 5:12-21 (NRSV) or Rom 5:12-21 (KJV) . Or, in an in-text
citation: (Rom 5:12-21 NRSV) Use the abbreviation for the English version
you are using. NRSV for New Revised Standard Version, NIV for New
International Version, etc. If you will use the same version throughout,
you can include a footnote or endnote to that effect the first time you use a
biblical citation. You do not need to cite the New Oxford Annotated in
the in-text citation if all you are using is the biblical verses. The NRSV will
be exactly the same in any bible containing the NRSV. If a biblical
book is the first word in a sentence, do not abbreviate it. Thus: We
see this in Rom 5:12 (NRSV). But: Romans 5:12 (NRSV) shows us
this.
How to Cite Introduction to a Biblical Book or Annotations in a Study Bible. If you use information or
quote from the introduction to a book, the annotations, or one of the essays
included in a study bible, you should cite the study bible by author of the
introduction, annotations, or essay, etc. as you would for an article in an
edited collection using the style you have adopted such as MLA or CMS or
Society of Biblical Literature Style. A table of contributors for the
New Oxford Annotated Bible (NOAB) can be found on the page after the
copyright page. Here is
an example of a bibliography entry in MLA and in SBL Style:
MLA Style:
Horsley, Richard A. "The First Letter of Paul to the
Corinthians Introduction and Annotations." The New Oxford Annotated Bible.
New Revised Standard Version, with the Apocrypha. Ed. Michael D. Coogan et
al. Augmented 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007. 267–92.
SBL Style:
Horsley, Richard A. "The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians Introduction and Annotations." Pages 267–92 in The New Oxford Annotated Bible. New Revised Standard Version, with the Apocrypha. Augmented 3rd ed. Edited by Michael D. Coogan et al. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007.
Format - Improper margins, fonts, spacing, page numbering,
outline not included, etc.
One inch to 1-1/4 inch margins on all sides. Double
spacing of main body of paper. Twelve point font. Each page is numbered. Each
paragraph is numbered. Thesis is bolded. Book titles are
italicized. Foreign language words are
italicized. Outline attached.