A: An excellent, superior paper that not only addresses the assignment carefully and thoughtfully, but goes beyond it to say something original.  Few, if any, mechanical errors or awkward spots.

B: A good paper that addresses the assignment carefully and thoughtfully and is effective.  May contain a few minor mechanical errors or awkward spots.

C: A satisfactory paper that addresses the assignment acceptably.  May contain minor errors in style, tone, organization, or mechanics.  Or may be a "B" paper except for a major flaw.

D: A paper that shows some attempt to address the assignment, but has many minor errors that cumulatively render the paper unsatisfactory, or has a major flaw in organization, tone, writing style, or subject matter.

F: A paper that does not address the assignment or which may be illegible or characterized by unacceptable organization, mechanical errors, factual errors, or treatment of the assignment.