jane jacobs the death and life of great american cities summary
PUP 363: Critical Essay
Grading Rubric
The following questions will be used to grade the critical essay assignment on Jane Jacob’s book:
1. How well does the student demonstrate a clear comprehension of the book? Did they cover the key points and main
arguments made by Jacobs? Did they demonstrate that they actually read the book, or does it look like they just read the
back cover?
2. Did they critically analyze Jacobs’ arguments in light of what was happening at the time it was published (1961), i.
e.
urban renewal and urban freeway building? Did they critically analyze the validity of Jacobs’
arguments in light of
contemporary urban issues and urban planning practice?
3. How well
–
written is the paper? Is it free of editing errors? Is it well
–
organized, clear, and concise?
Based on the
assessment of these questions, one of the
following scores
will be assigned:
100:
Top
quality
.
Clearly demonstrates a solid comprehension of the book and provides a well
–
written critical analysis
of its his
toric and contemporary relevance
, with adequate
justification
to support the critique
.
No ed
iting errors
whatsoever
.
Direct quotes properly
and consistently
cited
.
95:
Excellent
report.
Clearly demonstrates a comprehension of the
book
and provides a good critical analysis of its
historic and contemporary relevance
, with justification
.
M
inor
proofing/
editing
error
s. Q
uotes cited
(though
consistency in citing style may be needed).
90:
Very g
ood report.
Clearly
demonstrates a compre
hension of the book and provides a decent critical
analysis
, though
with
some
room for ela
boration
or clearer justification
.
Minor proofreading/editing errors
.
Citations for direct quotes
used, but
somewhat
inconsistent
.
85:
Good report.
Provides an
overview of the book and an analysis of its relevance
,
but
with opportunity for
elaboration
and
clearer justification.
S
ome
proofing & editing and/or content revision
needed
.
C
itations missing
for direct quotes.
80
:
Adequate report
.
Adequately covers
some of the main points from the book and provides a critical analysis,
but
certainly
with
opportunity for improvement
and clearer justification
. P
roofing & editing and content
r
evis
ions
needed
. Citations needed for direct quotes.
75:
Marginal report
.
Somewhat addresses
the key points from the book and provides a partial critique
,
bu
t with
definite
revisions needed
and clearer
discus
sion and justification
.
Proofing and editing
errors somewhat
distracting and in need of correction.
70
:
Inadequate rep
ort
.
Either does not demonstrate a clear comprehension of the material, does not summarize
the key points, or does not provide a critical assessment. Major revisions and elaboration
needed. Proofing and
editing errors distracting and in need of signif
icant correction.
60
:
Poor report
.
Student apparently
did not read the book
thoroughly
or does not provide any critical analysis.
M
ajor rewrite necessary.
Proofing and
editing errors very distracting.
<60
:
Unacceptable report.
Student obviously did not read the book. Excessive editing errors.
