RL 200 Covenant Essay
Grading Protocol
Last update:13 May 2010
PART I: Comparison of the idea(s) of the covenant in the Hebrew Bible with others in the ANE
1. Clear and concise exposition of the three main types of covenant in the ANE 0 1 2 3 4  
  a. Type 1          
  b. Type 2          
  c. Type 3          
2. Precise comparative analysis of at least three examples of covenants in the HB  
  a. Example 1          
  b. Example 2          
  c. Example 3          
Subtotal Part I
 /24
PART II: Discussion of the use and historical development of the idea of"covenant" in Torah
1. Clear and concise exposition of the use of the idea by each Pentateuchal source in comparison with other ANE traditions 0 1 2 3    
  a. J          
  b. E        
  c. D        
  d. P        
2. Synthesis of historical developments in the Pentateuchal traditions concerning "covenant" 0 1 2 3 4
  a. Succinct analysis of key historical developments from J through P          
  b. Clear synopsis of historical culmination of the HB idea of covenant          
Subtotal Part II
 /20
Part III: Implications of the idea of "covenant" for development of personal ethic
Interesting and succinct exposition of the following: 2 4 6 8 10  
1. The author's fundamental ethical stance based on her/his understanding of the historical culmination of the idea of covenant as presented in the Hebrew Bible (viz. Part II.2)          
2. How this covenantal ethic will enable the author to grow into the kind of person she/he wants to become          
3. Examples (at least one for each category) of how the covenant ethic will shape treatment of ... 0 1 2  
  a. Oneself      
  b. Other people      
  c. Earth; the ecosphere      
  d. God      
Subtotal Part III
 /28
Part IV. Quality of Analysis & Presentation
1. Evidence of careful research 0 1 2    
  a. Minimum of six print resources      
  b. Footnotes with accurate and complete CMS citations of all secondary sources used      
  c. Accurate and fluent use of secondary sources      
2. Clarity of organization 0 1 2  
  a. Introduction states clear and precise thesis, methodology, and plan of approach to the topic      
  b. Body of essay exhibits a clear line of development of argument      
  c. Conclusion recaps key arguments to establish how thesis has been proven      
3. Elegance of composition and style 0 1 2  
  a. Grammar & syntax      
  b. Orthography, punctuation, & typography      
  c. Appropriate paragraph divisions, clear transitions, and other features of good "flow"      
4. Argumentative rigor 1 2 3 4 5
  a. Substantive evidence in favor of thesis          
  a. Potential objections to thesis anticipated and rebutted          
Subtotal IV.1–4
 /28
5. Penalties 1 2 3 4 5  
  a. Unjustified use of web sites          
  b. Inadequate citations (i.e., ones that are incomplete, or places where they are missing altogether; NB: if they are missing in sufficient quantity, this constitutes plagiarism and the author will incur the concomitant penalties as stipulated in the syllabus and publicized on the Academic Integrity web page)          
  c. Improper style for citations (i.e., not conforming to the CMS humanities format)          
  d. Use of contractions, dangling prepositions, misplaced modifiers, misuse of adjectives/adverbs, subject/verb disagreement, and other types of problematic diction          
  e. Use of exclusive language          
  f. Late submission (5 points for each day)  
  g. Other:  
Subtotal IV.5
 -
Final Total