Check the Course Schedule for discussion topics, requirements, and due dates. The criteria will below determine your discussion score.
If the discussion requires you to include a summary, these criteria will apply to your summary and determine 50% of your total discussion score:
Summary Criteria | Proficient (A/B) | Adequate (C) | Needs Improvement (D/F) |
|---|---|---|---|
Summary introduces original text's title and author | | | |
Summary introduces relevant information about when and where the original text was published | | | |
Summary identifies the original text's thesis and/or main idea | | | |
Summary includes enough support for thesis/main idea without being as detailed as a paraphrase | | | |
Summary is objective; only the author's opinions and claims are included | | | |
Summary meets minimum length requirement or is approximately 1/3 the original text's length | | | |
Summary is written in third-person point of view | | | |
Summary includes attributions | | | |
Summary includes correct MLA in-text citations if the original text's pages are numbered | | | |
If your discussion post requires a summary, the criteria below will apply to your post and replies for 50% of your total discussion score.
If your discussion post does not require a summary, the following criteria will apply to your post and replies for 100% of your total discussion score.
Discussion Post and Replies | Proficient (A/B) | Adequate (C) | Needs Improvement (C/D) |
|---|---|---|---|
Post meets requirements for topic and due date as described in the Course Schedule | | | |
Post is detailed and demonstrates thoughtful consideration of the assigned topic | | | |
Post reflects your unique perspective on the topic | | | |
Post moves the discussion forward by contributing a new insight and/or including a question(s) that engages classmates | | | |
Post quotes or cites course materials as appropriate | | | |
Replies reflect thoughtful consideration of classmates' posts and respond to specific portions of those posts | | | |
Replies move the discussion forward by contributing new insights and/or asking questions that engage classmates | | | |
Replies quote or cite course materials as appropriate | | | |
Replies are respectful and demonstrate open-mindedness to new or opposing ideas | | | |
Post and replies demonstrate your best attempt at correct grammar and mechanics | | | |
Tips:
Quoting the original text is not required, but if you include quotes, make sure they are
chosen appropriately (see course materials on quoting for guidance)
very short
“sandwiched” (see course materials for an explanation)
include attributions, quotation marks, and correct MLA in-text citations.
To decide whether you’ve included enough support for the original text’s thesis/main idea in your summary, ask yourself, “What do readers need to know to fully understand the main idea?” (What readers need to know might include definitions, explanations, examples, or evidence.) The answer to that question should appear in your summary.