This is (roughly) what each grade means:

A: Answers the question fully.  Articulates a solid and nuanced understanding of Heidegger's overall project and particular passages.  Goes beyond the interpretations offered in lecture and section to make a genuine contribution to 'our' understanding, by pursuing real objections or by explaining something heretofore mysterious.

A-: Answers the question fully.  Articulates a solid and nuanced understanding of Heidegger's overall project and particular passages.  Either really pins down something that has been systematically unclear this far, or else pursues real objections to Heidegger but without fully resolving them.

B+: Answers most or all of the question.  Demonstrates (though perhaps does not fully articulate) a solid understanding of Heidegger's overall project and the ability to make sense of particular passages in the light of that project.  Perhaps shaky on some, relatively localized, interpretive points.  If objections are made, they may be not fully pursued or else not really relevant.

B: Answers most but notÝall of the question.  Demonstrates a generally solid understanding of Heidegger's overall project, but does not fully explain what Heidegger means, or seems to be confused on a relatively significant interpretive point.  Writing and organization may sometimes be confusing.  Often, no objections or other individual contributions.

B-: Does not answer the core of the question.  Lacks a solid understanding of Heidegger's overall project. Still, is engaged with the material, and does demonstrate a grasp of some important issues and connect them to concrete quotes or to examples.
 
C and below: More or less off the topic at hand, unclear, irrelevant to the course as a whole.
F: a dishonest paper.

Do not necessarily freak out if you received a lower-than-expected grade: I'm pretty sure that several writers of B papers have a good understanding of what's going on in the course, but failed to answer the question fully or otherwise to deliver fully.  Your overall grade will reflect your progress in the course, as well as your understanding and your level of engagement with the material, as demonstrated in section participation and office hours.

If you want to complain about your grade: Write me a letter explaining why you feel that the grade the paper received does not demonstrate a good match between its quality and the guidelines for grades listed above. Make sure to respond specifically to my comments, and to refer specifically to passages in the paper. Turn the letter and the paper, with comments, in to me, and we can schedule an appointment.  If you are still not satisfied with your grade, you should talk to Professor Dreyfus.

If you want to discuss your paper, that is, to elucidate comments I made that you found obscure or suggestive, how you could have made it better, or specific interpretive points you find interesting, please do come to my office hours, or ask me to set up an appointment.