Focus  The paper is built around a central focus; everything in the paper works towards furthering that focus.  The paper does not leave loose ends.  The paper has a point to develop.  All of what is included acts to advance this central meaning.  The paper should show the reader something through what the author chose to include.  The piece should display unity and purpose.  The piece should be thought provoking enough to leave the reader with a dominant impression.

Information  The paper contains strong descriptions with details which act to further the main idea of the piece.  The specifics, examples and details allow the reader to visualize what is being described. The details should be appropriate to the focus and carefully selected.  The piece brings the reader into the scene, rather than just telling the reader about what happened.

Language   Vocabulary is appropriate.  The words used should be well-chosen with strong active verbs and nouns.  The language should be as vivid as possible. The paper should include figurative language and compelling images which allow the reader to create a scene in his or her mind.

Mechanics: The paper should be free of spelling, grammatical, punctuation and other mechanical errors which make the piece difficult to read. Extra words which do not advance the meaning of the piece should be eliminated wherever possible. Sentence length is varied and used to emphasize key points.  Paragraphing is appropriate and effective.

Title, Lead Ending  The lead captures the reader's attention, and is honest and relates to what is to follow in the piece. The ending leaves the reader with something to think about and is more than just a restatement of what has already been shown through the piece. The ending should follow naturally from the piece and not read as if it had been tacked on.  The title is appropriate, honest and relates to the content of the piece.
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The finished products in your portfolios will be judged according to the above criteria. In addition, the following factors will be taken into consideration:

Growth- How have you grown as a writer over the course of the semester?  What have you learned about what writing is for?  What techniques have you learned for facilitating your own writing process?

Versatility- What new forms have you tried?  What challenges have you given yourself as a writer?  What different kinds of pieces have you written?

Improvement- How has your writing improved over the course of the semester?  Is it more organized, better detailed, better focused?  Do you write stronger leads or endings? Do you choose more significant topics?
 EN 120
Composition

Questions for self-evaluation

These questions are designed to help you to evaluate your writing and to suggest directions for revision.

Titles/ Leads/ Endings-  How does the lead draw the reader into the piece?  How does it relate to what follows?  Look at the types of leads we went over in class.  Would another type of lead work better?  What does the ending leave the reader thinking?  How does it relate to the focus of the piece?   Does the piece have a title?  How is the title more than a label, interesting and appropriate?

Focus: What am I trying to show the reader through this paper?  How do the parts of the paper relate to this central idea?  How is this idea developed in the different parts of the paper?  Where could I build the reader's interest by giving hints or foreshadowing of what is to come?

Language - Read the paper over to see where verbs can be strengthened- when possible, see if the verb "to be" or the passive form can be eliminated.  Look at your descriptions.  Can you use figurative language to make them more vivid?  Check your vocabulary by reading the piece aloud.  Are there places where it sounds unnatural?

Information- Where can I add more specific details?  Look for important parts of the piece where you really want your reader to pay attention and add more details to these parts of the paper.  Where are there general statements which could be better expressed through examples?  Where are there places where I am telling the reader things which I could be showing through examples and action?

Mechanics- Have I spell-checked the paper?  Have I been able to correct all of the errors marked in the earlier draft?  Check for excess words-  (the word "that" is a common one).  Where have ideas been repeated in sections that can be tightened up? Look at the transitions.  Are there things there that I do not need to tell the reader?