A Grading Procedure for Student Writing

The purpose of the procedure described was to emphasize writing in an Introduction to Sociology class of 77 freshmen. The instructor and a writing specialist teamed in establishing criteria for a writing assignment, in conducting a class devoted to the writing process, and in grading papers. The criteria proved most useful since the grades both instructors assigned to students' papers were consistent, proving that an outside grader could be used, and students were able to integrate sociological concepts with the writing process.