Rubric

Here's the rubric I'll use for grading your paper - you probably want to PRINT IT OUT.


Name: Research Paper Grading Sheet

A (superior paper)
• Introduction begins with original, creative historical setting
• Introduction includes specific, sophisticated, underlined, and argumentative thesis that answers the question posed
• Introduction identifies at least two vehicles/categories of evidence
• Each vehicle is introduced by strong topic sentences that always refer back to the thesis
• Body paragraphs are built around strong assertive statements that introduce evidence of argument
• All evidence is well chosen, specific, and highly supportive of argument
• All evidence is clearly analyzed in terms of topic sentence/thesis
• Body paragraphs include sufficient evidence to support the argument
• Paragraphs fluidly carry argument throughout paper
• Paragraphs are connected by thoughtful and seamless transitions
• Conclusion summarizes argument, moves the essay to a broader level of significance, and leaves the reader thinking
• Sentence structure is varied and sophisticated
• Writer uses rich and appropriate vocabulary
• Spelling and grammar are flawless
• Paper is accompanied by a well-prepared, complete outline
• Paper demonstrates correct research process
• Paper includes annotated bibliography of at least 7 sources; all entries are in correct format
• Paper includes at least 4 – 6 parenthetical citations in correct format
• Paper is double-spaced, has 1-inch margins and 12 pt Times New Roman font

B (very good/good paper)
• Introduction begins with historical setting
• Introduction includes an argumentative thesis that answers the question posed
• Introduction identifies at least two vehicles/categories of evidence
• Each vehicle is introduced by topic sentences that mostly refer back to the thesis
• Body paragraphs are built around statements that introduce evidence of argument
• Most evidence is well chosen, specific, and supportive of argument
• Most evidence is clearly analyzed in terms of topic sentence/thesis
• Most paragraphs include sufficient evidence to support the argument
• Most paragraphs carry argument through paper
• Most paragraphs are connected by thoughtful and seamless transitions
• Conclusion summarizes argument
• Sentence structure is clear
• Writer uses appropriate vocabulary
• A few errors in spelling and grammar
• Paper is accompanied by a somewhat complete outline
• Paper demonstrates correct research process
• Paper includes annotated bibliography of at least 7 sources; all entries are in correct format
• Paper includes at least 4 – 6 parenthetical citations in correct format
• Paper is double-spaced, has 1-inch margins, and 12 pt Times New Roman font

C (fair paper)
• Introduction begins with vague, non-descriptive historical setting
• Introduction includes a thesis statement that is apparent but vague & does not fully address the question posed
• Introduction identifies less than two vehicles/categories of evidence
• Vehicles are introduced by topic sentences that sometimes refer back to the thesis
• Body paragraphs are generally built around statements that introduce evidence of argument
• Some evidence is well chosen, specific, and supportive of argument
• Some evidence is clearly analyzed in terms of topic sentence/thesis
• Some paragraphs include sufficient evidence to support the argument
• Some paragraphs carry argument through paper
• Some paragraphs are connected by thoughtful and seamless transitions
• Conclusion minimally summarizes argument
• At times, sentences are unclear and unfocused
• Writer uses somewhat appropriate vocabulary
• Many errors in spelling and grammar
• Paper is accompanied by an incomplete outline
• Paper does not demonstrates correct research process
• Paper includes annotated bibliography of less than 7 sources; not all entries are in correct format
• Paper includes fewer than 4 – 6 parenthetical citations in correct format OR Paper includes 4 – 6 parenthetical citation in incorrect format
• Paper is not double-spaced, does not have 1-inch margins, and 12 pt Times New Roman font






D (poor paper)
• Introduction begins with vague, non-descriptive historical setting
• Introduction includes a thesis statement that is apparent but vague & does not address the question posed
• Introduction does not identify any vehicles/categories of evidence
• Body paragraphs are occasionally built around statements that introduce evidence of argument
• Evidence is weak and not carefully chosen; evidence does not support argument
• Evidence is rarely analyzed in terms of topic sentence/thesis
• Most paragraphs have insufficient evidence to support the argument
• Most paragraphs do not carry argument through paper
• Paragraphs are rarely connected by thoughtful and seamless transitions
• Conclusion is vague and does not summarize argument
• Sentences are unclear and unfocused
• Many errors in spelling and grammar
• Outline is not included
• Paper does not demonstrates correct research process
• Paper includes bibliography of less than 7 sources; no annotations; not all entries are in correct format
• Paper includes fewer than 4 – 6 parenthetical citations in incorrect format
• Paper is not double-spaced, not typed, does not have 1-inch margins, and 12 pt Times New Roman font

F (failing paper)
• Paper lacks introduction
• Paper does not include an identifiable thesis & does not address the question posed
• No mention of vehicles/categories of evidence
• Body paragraphs are unfocused
• Evidence is weak and sparse; it does not relate to the argument
• There is no attempt to analyze evidence; argument unclear in paper
• All paragraphs have insufficient evidence to support the argument
• Paragraphs do not carry argument through paper
• Paper lacks transitions
• Paper lacks conclusion
• Sentences are unclear and unfocused
• Many errors in spelling and grammar
• Outline is not included
• Paper does not demonstrate correct research process
• Paper does not include a bibliography
• Paper lacks citations
• Paper is not double-spaced, not typed, does not have 1-inch margins, and 12 pt Times New Roman font

The symbols you find on your essay have the following meanings:
INTRODUCTION:
ARG Thesis not argumentative/ does not address counter-argument
QNA Thesis does not answer question
VEH Vehicles not specific enough – too broad
SNS Scene/historical context not set

BODY PARAGRAPH:
TH Topic sentence doesn’t relate to thesis OR Topic sentence isn’t a sub-argument of thesis
E Doesn’t qualify as evidence
S Evidence not specific enough to support argument
NE Not enough evidence to support argument
A Analysis needed OR Analysis doesn’t tell me how evidence support topic sentence/thesis
T Paragraph transition needed

CONCLUSION:
RE Conclusion does not summarize argument
SW “So What?” not answered – significance of topic not reflected upon

GENERAL:
AWK Awkward SP Incorrect spelling
AWKC Awkward in context G Incorrect grammar

Grade:

Comments: