A Linguistically Inclusive Approach to Grading Writing

Hannah A. Franz is the program associate for graduate advisement at the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, and a co-author of The Indispensable Guide to Undergraduate Research: Success in and Beyond College.

Contents (final)Foreword Vershawn Ashanti Young  vii

Acknowledgments  xiii

1.  Introduction to a Linguistically Inclusive Approach to Grading Writing  1


Language Variation and a Linguistically Inclusive Approach to Grading Writing  2
The Time It Takes to Grade  3
What Motivated Me to Write This Book  4
Sociolinguistic Concepts That Inform This Book  6
The Benefits of a Linguistically Inclusive Approach to Grading  8
Is a Linguistically Inclusive Grading Approach for Me?  10
Multicultural Education and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy  13
The Significance of Grades  17
Historical Context of Grading Writing  20
Study Backdrop  22
Companion Resources  22
Overview of the Book  23
Self-Assess Your Practices  242.  Curriculum and Instruction for a Linguistically Inclusive Grading Approach  25


Course Objectives in Support of Linguistically Inclusive Grading  25
Instructor Motivations and Linguistically Inclusive Grading  30
Instruction in Organization and Grammar  34
Assignment Goals and Language Variation  39
Audience  41
Self-Assess Your Practices  44
Linguistically Inclusive Practices  453.  Linguistically Inclusive Grading Processes  46


Consider Grading Priorities and Distribution  46
Align Grading Priorities With Instruction  48
Read for Student Meaning  51
Use and Explain Sociolinguistically Informed Grading Criteria  52
Word Grading Criteria Positively  56
Maximize Peer Feedback and Multiple Drafts  57
Pose Questions Rather Than Penalties  60
Self-Assess Your Practices  60
Linguistically Inclusive Practices  614.  Linguistically Inclusive Commenting Strategies  63


Reapportion Your Time  64
Use Feedback as a Conversation  65
Teach Through Specific Positive Comments  66
Communicate High Expectations  69
Highlight Your Subjectivity as a Reader and Acknowledge Multiple Audiences  71
Ask Strategic Questions  73
Contextualize Prescriptive Comments  74
Rethink Labels  77
Use Corrections Judiciously  79
Self-Assess Your Practices  81
Linguistically Inclusive Practices  825.  Organization and Word Choice  84


Organization and Topic Relationships  85
Respond to Organization and Topic Relationships in a Linguistically Inclusive Approach  88
Pronoun Choice  92
Respond to Pronoun Choice in a Linguistically Inclusive Approach  94
Formal and Informal Word Choice  96
Respond to Formal and Informal Word Choice in a Linguistically Inclusive Approach  98
Self-Assess Your Practices  100
Linguistically Inclusive Practices  1006.  Grammar and Mechanics  102


What Exactly Are Grammar and Mechanics?  102
Grammar Patterns  104
Respond to Grammar Patterns in a Linguistically Inclusive Approach  108
Mechanical Features  113
Self-Assess Your Practices  116
Linguistically Inclusive Practices  1177.  Putting It All Together  119


A Linguistically Inclusive Approach to Grading: Summarized  120
Application of Multicultural Education and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy  122
What Can a Linguistically Inclusive Grading Approach Look Like in Your Classroom?  123
Conclusion  131References  132

Index  140

About the Author  145