Sunday, February 24, 2013

Bates, 1993. Responding to Sentence Level Errors


Bates, L.  1993.  Responding Systematically to Sentence Level Errors
Chapter 3
1.       Be selective in marking errors
a.       Mark global errors over local errors
b.      Mark errors that occur frequently
c.       Consider the student’s proficiency, attitude and goals
d.      Consider marking errors covered in class
2.       Decide how you will mark errors
a.       Locate the error: Just use the symbol, underline, or bracket the error
b.      Identify the error: put the symbol over the error
3.       Decide when you will mark errors
a.       On early drafts, only mark errors that affect meaning.
b.      On later drafts, be sure that the students understand that the focus should be on the content of the paper.
4.       Decide if others (e.g., peers, tutors, friends) will identify or mark errors.

Chapter 4
Combining Response to Content and Sentences in an End Comment
1.       Should the sentence level errors affect the grade?
a.       Consider if the errors are global or local.  Global errors should probably affect a grade more than local errors.
b.      If the sentence level errors dominate the paper, then you might consider having the grammar affect the grade of the paper
c.       Finally, consider giving two grades to the paper: one for grammar and one for content
d.      What I do: I split the grade of the paper into three parts: 30% content, 35% organization, 35% grammar, and I only grade for grammar points we have covered in class.  I might mark or correct other grammar points, but they will not affect the grade.
2.       There should be 3 parts to an end comment
a.       Respond to the content first—it is the most important aspect of the paper.
b.      Second, respond to the sentence level grammar
                                                               i.      Balance positive and negative feedback
                                                             ii.      Indicate, if appropriate, the effect of sentence level errors on the grade.
c.       Include the grade and some justification for the grade in the end comment.

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