• Students should demonstrate that they have achieved the goals of the course as defined by the department.  Therefore, students should demonstrate an ability to:

•  Produce a minimum of five papers of at least 500 words in length that go beyond simple personal expression and demonstrate an ability to describe, narrate, analyze, synthesize, persuade, critique, and assert with evidence.
• Identify an author's thesis and supporting points and respond to the writing of both professionals and peers as critical readers, thinkers, and writers.
• Write for various audiences and purposes.
• Go beyond the "5 paragraph theme," adapting the essay form to various writing situations including timed, in-class writing assignments, and revised writings.
• Develop productive planning and revising processes.
• Create effective sentences and paragraphs in essays that also incorporate effective spelling, punctuation, mechanics, and grammar.

• An essay meeting minimum standards in English 101 will do the following:
• Clearly state its point (or thesis).
• Make a point worth making.
• Be focused and developed around that point.
• Use specific detail.
• Have a clear sense of organization within paragraphs and essay.
• Use language that does not obscure the point.
• Demonstrate no consistent, bothersome, or serious pattern of grammar/mechanics errors.

• An essay which exceeds minimum standards will do all of the above as well as the following:
• Go beyond simply making a point, and make it well.
• Go beyond simple focus, organization, and development in a well-developed paper.
• Use specific, memorable details that in some way grab the reader.
• Demonstrate a clear sense of voice and of style in its use of language.
• Create positive, memorable "lasting impression."
• Be free of major errors in grammar or mechanics.

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