Part Two: Course Completion

Notes on Grading of Written Work

A number of key factors will determine your grades on your written work for credit in this course. The factors below are important ones to attend to, but this list is by no means exclusive. You will find it helpful, though, to realize that your supervisor will be asking the following questions as he or she grades your course assignments. The next section, "Tips on Written Work," will help you ensure that your written work meets the requirements of this course as set out in this section.

1. Does the written work actually answer the question(s) it sets out to address? If it does not, its quality may be irrelevant. You cannot receive a passing grade for writing about just anything. It is important to make appropriate use of your research materials.

2. Does the written work have a coherent argument? For the answer to be a resounding yes, the introduction, body, and conclusion of the written work must follow logically one from the other. Transitions from paragraph to paragraph within the body of the written work must be clear. Take care not to contradict yourself, and be clear when you are citing your opinion as opposed to when you are simply indicating the opinions or conclusions of others

3. Does the written work demonstrate knowledge of the key issues identified in the learning contract?

4. Does the written work demonstrate an ability to provide evidence to back up general statements?

5. Does the written work provide a sufficient number of citations for its claims, and are these citations complete?

6. Is the student writing in her or his own words, or is he or she simply parroting the texts and using long cut-and-paste quotes?

7. Is the student writing at a level consistent with the standards for a senior-level Human Services course? Note that considerations here include grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and clarity of language. Written works judged to be below the standard considered acceptable at this level will lose marks. If the written work is not considered to meet even the writing standards for a first-year course, it may be failed. Or, students may be offered the opportunity to do a re-write.

8. Is there a bibliography? Are references cited according to a consistent and recognizable bibliographic style?

Forewarned is forearmed—but do not let the above questions intimidate you. If you stick to the topic, know the course content, write in your own words, and make a clear argument in standard English prose style, you are sure to receive passing grades for your work. If you do not pass, or if you pass but think you can improve your grade by rewriting, read on!

Rewrites: If you are keeping to the suggested study schedule or you are progressing faster than required to complete the contract on time, you should have time to rewrite, resubmit your work and, possibly, improve your grade if you need or want to do so. Just take into account the comments made on your first attempt and provide a revised version of the whole paper. The highest grade you achieve on the paper becomes your official grade for that assignment.