I believe that a grade is less a reward for or a penalty against the student's intelligence than a reflexion of the student's proficiency to write clearly and persuasively a paper on a given topic. Organization and pertinence of ideas, as well as grammar and clarity, are among some the chief criteria I use in grading a paper. The student has demonstrated a mastery in writing clearly and organizing ideas methodically on a given topic. Ideas are not randomly thrown here and there but are complementary and cohesive elements of a well-organized paper. Ideas flow well.
Grammatical errors are minimal.
The student has done just what I asked for. Grammar is fair and content is intelligible. Ideas exist but are arranged without a clear logic. Some of them are obscure and unintelligible. This grade signifies an unacceptable performance in writing a specific assignment.