CAT Grading Criteria – Participation
Here is a description of the kind of participation in the course that would earn you an A, B, C, etc. Your TA may use pluses and minuses to reflect your participation more fairly, but on this sheet we will simply show a general description for each letter grade.

A – EXCELLENT.

• You are well-prepared for discussion in lecture and for section, with almost no absences. You can explain each reading in your own words. In addition, you have already asked yourself questions about what it means, focusing on specific passages that are interesting to you and making connections between various readings and ideas.
• You express your thoughts clearly, making and supporting specific claims. You listen and respond thoughtfully to your peers, helping to create a safe, inviting space for discussion..
• You find ways to connect the course material with issues that matter to you personally.
• You do all section activities with high energy and attention to detail, and actively lead or enthusiastically contribute to small or large group activities, taking personal responsibility for achieving the assigned goal.
• You submit rough drafts on time, and these drafts demonstrate a thorough engagement with the assignment.
• You respond creatively to the feedback you receive (from both your peers and TA) on drafts, making significant changes to your writing between the first and final drafts that demonstrate ownership of your own writing process.
• You are an active contributor to the peer-review process, offering insightful, substantive, and constructive feedback to your classmates.

B – GOOD.

• You attend lecture and section with few absences. You have done most of the readings.  If you don’t understand the reading the first time you read it, you wait to have it explained by the TA.
• You talk on a regular basis. Sometimes you offer well-thought-out ideas and connections, supported with evidence; sometimes your contributions are merely a statement of opinions or initial reactions.
• You do assigned activities willingly; but if you run into obstacles, you let the TA or someone else figure out how to overcome those obstacles.
• You submit rough drafts on time, and these drafts demonstrate thorough engagement with the assignment.
• You respond effectively to the feedback you receive (from both your peers and TA) on drafts, making significant changes to your writing between the first and final drafts.
• You are a regular contributor to the peer-review process, offering constructive feedback to your classmates.

C – SATISFACTORY.

• You are present in lecture and section, with few absences, and have done some of the reading some of the time.
• You occasionally contribute to the discussion; your contributions are opinions more often than they are thoughtful efforts to make connections. You’re not a real self-starter, and you have to be nudged to participate.
• You do activities when asked, because it’s required.
• You submit rough drafts on time.
• You make some efforts toward revision between the first and final drafts of an assignment
• You are involved in peer-review activities, but you offer minimal feedback.

D – UNSATISFACTORY.

• You have multiple absences from section.
• When you come, you’re often not very prepared, and you don’t say much. 
• You may have a habit of using your cell phone or computer in class to chat or do things not directly related to the course.  Playing online poker or shopping for surfboards in either lecture or section, for instance, would be ways to earn a “D” in participation.
• You submit late or incomplete drafts.
• You revise minimally or only at a surface level between drafts.
• You are absent for peer-review activities, or offer unproductive feedback.

F—FAILING.  

• You have many absences, are habitually unprepared, fail to engage with the drafting and revision process, or are uncooperative.