Major Criteria for Papers in Challenge Seminar
 

There are some major factors that will help you to develop and assess the quality of all papers that you write for Challenge Seminar. Ask yourself the following questions before handing in each paper:

1. Regarding major ideas/concepts of the paper
What are my major ideas? Are they pertinent to the assignment? How thoughtfully do I develop them? How fully do I develop them? Do I show the significance, the ?So What?? of them? Do I show a high quality of reflective thinking?
 

2. The critical thinking in the paper
Does the paper make sense? Do I develop my ideas logically, critically? Does the paper flow rationally, assertively, without contradictions, overstatements, and unsubstantiated speculation?
 

3. The cohesiveness of the paper
Does the paper essentially develop a single thesis? Do I make connections between ideas, examples, and resource materials? Do I analyze (break down into parts) and synthesize (pull together) ideas? Do I make clear when I am using another?s ideas and when I am using my own ideas (without confusing the reader as to what comes from whom)? Do I cite correctly every time?
 

4. The objectivity of the paper
Does the paper have an objective, generally impersonal, detached, mature tone? Can I say what I want to say without being conversational or casual, without using trite expressions or cliches? Is the tone of the paper appropriate for the purpose and for the type of reader it is intended? (Virtually all papers in Challenge Seminar are expository and/or argumentative papers.)
 

5. The copy
Have I read my final draft aloud after printing and fixed every little error?