An A paper contains few, if any, errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar, and observes all applicable conventions of format and citation. It demonstrates understanding of the question, acknowledging the central idea's complexity or significance, but it may handle the ideas in a less sophisticated and effective way. The B paper offers reasons for supporting the points it makes, using varied kinds of evidence, but the evidence may need further evaluation or qualification. Connections between main ideas and evidence may need some clarifying, and definition of terms may not be smoothly accomplished, but the logic is solid. Examples do support a thesis, but development may be somewhat incomplete.
Sentences coherently support their paragraph's topic sentences.
The paper may not offer insights beyond the most obvious, and the thesis does not engage the topic's key questions with sufficient clarity and control. The paper may restate the question unnecessarily, or may overlook important aspects. The C paper has a weaker thesis and less effective development of that thesis. The C paper exhibits only a basic comprehension of source material, with some lapses in understanding. Definitions may be simply dictionary quotations, not integrated into a flow of ideas, and the relevance of examples may not be clear.