How I Grade Book Reviews

Grading term papers is a three stage process:

Stage 1:  Compliance with the standards or outline provided in the syllabus.  If a large number or serious errors are identified, the student is dropped a letter grade.   Notes are made for the professor to use in giving a final grade.

Stage 2: The body of the thoroughly is read thoroughly.   When I see a problem I make notes on the paper.   I will not accept: second person pronouns (you), colloquial expressions ("a lot"), writing as if the writer is speaking, fragmented paragraphs, incomplete ideas.    After reading the paper, I make a shorthand note which only I understand.  Based on my notes, the papers are placed in piles: A, B, C, D, and F.   

Stage 3: I take each pile starting with A and rank them.    The papers are compared!    A number grade is given based on how each student performed in contrast to other students in the same pile.   A number grade is awarded.