For compositions and contrôles, I use the conventional Haverford grading system (where 3.0 is the average grade), or sometimes a system of (adequate), (excellent), (unacceptable). I rarely grade rewrites, although I am more than happy to look at a rewrite or go over the corrected assignment in office hours; my feeling is that the energy put into a rewrite or correction could be better applied to doing better on the next assignment of the same type.

Note that while I may give you intermediary grades (3.5, 2.5), the Haverford system doesn't allow for them as final grades. Where possible, I round up, but whether that happens or not depends on the overall quality of your contribution, and my assessment of where you've gotten to from where you started. Usually, only a student whose work and participation are of exceptional quality will get a final 4.0 or 3.7. For the bases of evaluation, check here.

In general, one can't produce quality without effort, but it's important to remember, too, that greater effort doesn't necessarily produce superior quality. You may work long and hard on an assignment but not be able to produce the "spark" that distinguishes a superb performance from a fine or an adequate one.