What It Means:
You must restate every question before answering it and number each one clearly. This ensures clarity and helps the reader follow the structure of your work.
How to Earn a Perfect Score:
Begin each answer with the question clearly written out.
Use the same numbering format as the assignment (e.g., Question 1, Question 2).
Do not skip or combine questions.
Example:
1. What is Aristotle’s definition of happiness?
Aristotle defines happiness as the activity of the soul in accordance with virtue over a complete life.
What It Means:
Every question must be answered fully. Skipping even one will result in a lower score.
How to Earn a Perfect Score:
Double-check the assignment to ensure every question is answered.
If you’re unsure about a question, do your best to respond with thoughtful effort—partial answers are better than none.
Tip: Count your answers and compare them with the number of questions in the assignment before submitting.
What It Means:
Each answer must be expressed in full, grammatically correct sentences—not fragments or bullet points.
How to Earn a Perfect Score:
Begin sentences with capital letters and end them with proper punctuation.
Include both a subject and a verb.
Avoid phrases like “because he said so”—make sure the sentence stands on its own.
Example of a Fragment:
“Because it is the highest good.”
Improved:
“Aristotle believes happiness is the highest good because it is the final end of all human action.”
What It Means:
Your assignment should be easy to read, neatly organized, and uniformly formatted.
How to Earn a Perfect Score:
Use consistent line spacing between questions and answers.
Align text to the left, unless instructed otherwise.
Avoid odd indentations, inconsistent fonts, or changes in text size.
Tip: Use a simple, clean format for all assignments, and proofread your document visually before submitting.
What It Means:
Proper nouns, titles, and the beginnings of sentences must be capitalized correctly.
How to Earn a Perfect Score:
Capitalize the first word in each sentence.
Capitalize names (e.g., Aristotle, God, Athens) and titles (e.g., Nicomachean Ethics).
Do not capitalize common nouns unnecessarily (e.g., “virtue” should not be capitalized unless it begins a sentence).
What It Means:
There should be no spelling errors, including misspelled names, vocabulary terms, or common words.
How to Earn a Perfect Score:
Use a spell-check tool before submitting your assignment.
Learn and double-check classical names like “Aristotle,” “virtue,” and “eudaimonia.”
Watch for homophones (e.g., their vs. there) and words with similar sounds but different meanings.
Tip: Keep a running list of words you’ve misspelled in past assignments to avoid repeating mistakes.
What It Means:
Use commas, periods, question marks, quotation marks, and other punctuation marks appropriately to enhance clarity.
How to Earn a Perfect Score:
End all sentences with a period, question mark, or exclamation point.
Use commas to separate clauses and after introductory phrases.
Place quotation marks around direct quotes.
Example:
Poor: Aristotle says happiness is activity in accordance with virtue it is the final cause.
Improved: Aristotle says happiness is “activity in accordance with virtue.” It is the final cause.
What It Means:
Answers must include reasons, explanations, or references to texts or ideas—not just opinions or summaries.
How to Earn a Perfect Score:
Support your answers with examples from readings or lectures.
Explain your reasoning clearly, especially in philosophical or theological questions.
Quote directly from the source when helpful, and explain the meaning in your own words.
Example:
Instead of: “Yes, because it is good.”
Write: “Yes, because Aristotle teaches that every action aims at some good, and happiness is the ultimate good.”
What It Means:
Your answers must be consistent with truth, reason, and the course content. Avoid making exaggerated, false, or off-topic claims.
How to Earn a Perfect Score:
Review your work to make sure your statements are supported by logic or course readings.
Do not insert personal opinions that contradict the course material unless the question invites interpretation.
Avoid generalizations or modern clichés not grounded in the subject.
Tip: If you’re unsure whether a claim is valid, look it up in the course readings or simply omit it.
What It Means:
The grader should be able to understand what you are saying without confusion.
How to Earn a Perfect Score:
Avoid long, rambling sentences.
Use simple, precise words.
Read your answer aloud to yourself—if it sounds awkward, revise it.
Stay on topic and be concise.
Example:
Instead of: “Aristotle says happiness is sort of like a thing that we want and do stuff for.”
Write: “Aristotle teaches that happiness is the final cause—the goal for which we choose all other actions.”
To consistently score 100 on your written assignments:
Plan your answers thoughtfully.
Review each criterion before submitting.
Revise and proofread carefully.
Read your work aloud to catch errors and awkward phrasing.
The goal of each assignment is not only to complete the task, but to train your intellect and will in the pursuit of truth and clarity—hallmarks of classical Catholic education.