Salinas/College Prep.

Writing
Grading key

See the page numbers in parentheses in College Writing Skills for an explanation of each problem (updated for 7th edition)

GRAMMAR
*? = unclear phrasing or idea
*adj = adjective (516)
*adv = adverb (516)
*awk = awkward or unclear phrasing
*cap = capital letter (536)
*com = add or remove comma (565)
*fr = fragment (456)
*lc = lower case (536)
*mm = misplaced modifier (522)
dangling modifier (526)
*par = make phrasing parallel:
verbs, modifiers, adjectives, adverbs, etc.
(pg. 106)
*pl = use plural form
*poss = use possessive form (513, 551)
*pro = pronoun
object/subject (510)
unclear pronoun reference (506)
pronoun agreement (504)
*ro = run-on sentence (470)
*sing = use singular form
*sp = spelling (582)
*v = verb problem (450, 499)
*sv = subject-verb agreement (493)
*vt = verb tense (484, 499)
*wc = word choice (115, 598)

STRUCTURE/CONTENT
*det = add detail or make detail more specific (57-63)
*foc = improve focus by adding or deleting detail (140-43; 154)
paragraph or essay contains detail not relevant to main idea
*org = problem with organization/rearrange ideas for better logic (80)
*P = create new paragraph (5-9)
*trans = add or improve transitional phrase (83)
*ts = add or improve topic sentence (6, 10)

ESSAY SCORE

Your essay score has three parts: for example, “3/3/6.”

*The first score is for structure: focusing on a good thesis statement; maintaining strong paragraph focus; connecting ideas logically
with transitions and topic sentences
*The second score is for content: how well you use specific supporting details; the quality of your ideas and opinions; creativity.
*The third score is for grammar.

GRADING SCALE

Total score (out of 12) Partial scores for content/structure (out of 3) Partial score for grammar (out of 6)
Percentage Grade
12 = 100% S (satisfactory) 1= 40% 1 = 50%
10 = 90% S (satisfactory) 2= 75% 2 = 60%
8= 80% S (satisfactory) 3=100% 3 = 70%
7= 75% P (progress) *At least a 2 in content/structure to pass 3.5 = 75%
6= 70% (borderline) P (progress) 4 = 80%
4= 60% U (unsatisfactory) 5 = 90%
2= 50% U (unsatisfactory) 6 = 100%
<61= F *At least a 4 in grammar to pass

*You must score at least a 6 to pass the final. However, to make sure you’re prepared, your goal should be to consistently score at
least 7-8 during the semester.
Salinas/College Prep. Writing
Essay Self-Evaluation Form

Review your most recent graded essay to fill out the form.

Total score and grade: __________

Structure/content

Partial score and grade: __________

1) List the most common mistakes in structure and content and how many you made:

#1 __________ ( )

#2 __________ ( )

*Explain how you can correct the biggest problem with structure and content. What are you doing wrong? Do you need to work with
your instructor or a tutor to address the problem?

Grammar

Partial score and grade: __________

*List the most common mistakes in grammar and how many you made:

#1 __________ ( )

#2 __________ ( )

*Explain how you can correct the biggest problem with grammar. What are you doing wrong? Do you need to work with your
instructor or a tutor to address the problem?

*List the words that were the wrong choice, provide definitions, and replace them with more accurate words:

*List the words you misspelled with corrections.

*On the back of this sheet or on a separate sheet of paper, you will complete the same exercises for your next essay and answer these
additional questions:

*In what ways does this essay show improvement over previous ones?

*What areas have not shown improvement and require more work?

*Are there any areas not showing improvement where you need extra help from your instructor or tutor?

*Set one clear improvement goal. How can you prepare to make sure your next essay is better?