RESEARCH PAPER RUBRIC
CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
Introduction/ *exceptional *proficient *basic *weak or no
introduction that introduction that introduction that introduction of
Thesis grabs interest of is interesting and states topic but topic.
____x2 reader and states states topic. lacks interest. **paper’s
topic. **thesis is clear **thesis is purpose is
**thesis is and arguable somewhat clear unclear/thesis is
exceptionally clear, statement of and arguable. weak or
arguable, well- position. missing.
developed, and a
definitive statement.
Quality of *paper is *information *information *information
exceptionally relates to the relates to the has little or
Information/ researched, main topic. main topic, few nothing to do
Evidence extremely detailed, **paper is well- details and/or with the thesis.
____ x3 and historically researched in examples are **information
accurate. detail and from a given. has weak or no
**information clearly variety of **shows a limited connection to
relates to the thesis. sources. variety of sources. the thesis.
Support of *exceptionally *consistent *some *limited or no
critical, relevant and connections connections made connections
Thesis/Analysi consistent made between between evidence made between
s connections made evidence and and thesis. evidence and
____ x3 between evidence thesis **some analysis. thesis.
and thesis. **good analysis. **lack of
**excellent analysis. analysis.
Organization/ *exceptionally clear, *clear and logical *somewhat clear *lacks
logical, mature, and order that and logical development of
Development thorough supports thesis development with ideas with weak
of Thesis development of with good basic transitions or no transitions
____ x3 thesis with excellent transitions between and between and
transitions between between and within paragraphs. within
and within within paragraphs.
paragraphs. paragraphs.
Conclusion *excellent summary *good summary *basic summary *lack of
of topic with of topic with clear of topic with some summary of
____ x2 concluding ideas concluding ideas. final concluding topic.
that impact reader. **introduces no ideas.
**introduces no new new information. **introduces no
information. new information.
Style/Voice *style and voice are *style and voice *style and voice *style and voice
not only appropriate appropriate to somewhat inappropriate or
____ to the given the given appropriate to do not address
audience and audience and given audience given audience,
purpose, but also purpose. and purpose. purpose, etc.
show originality and **word choice is **word choice is **word choice is
creativity. specific and often unspecific, excessively
**word choice is purposeful, and generic, redundant,
specific, purposeful, somewhat varied redundant, and clichéd, and
dynamic and varied. throughout. clichéd. unspecific.
***sentences are ***sentences are ***sentences are ***sentences
clear, active mostly clear, somewhat are very
(subject-verb- active (SVO), and unclear; excessive unclear.
object), and to the to the point. use of passive
point. voice.
Grammar/ *control of grammar, *may contain few *contains several *so many
usage, and spelling, spelling, spelling,
Usage/ mechanics. punctuation, and punctuation, and punctuation,
Mechanics **almost entirely grammar errors. grammar errors and grammar
____ free of spelling, which detract errors that the
punctuation, and from the paper’s paper cannot be
grammatical errors. readability. understood.
Length The word count The word count is The word count is The word count
meets the minimum lacking 100 lacking 200-400 is lacking 500
____ requirements. words words. words.
Note Entries The note entries are The note entries The note entries There are very
complete, well- are complete, but are not complete few or no note
____x2 written, and are not well- or do not support entries.
effectively support written or do not the outline.
the outline. effectively
support outline.
Outline The outline is The outline has 1- The outline is The outline is
formatted correctly 3 formatting poorly written and poorly written
____ and is effectively errors. has several errors. and has many
written errors.
Formatting 1-2 errors 3-5 errors 6-9 errors 10 or more
errors
____
Works Cited All of the sources are 1-2 errors 3-5 errors Many errors or
complete and are insufficient
Page listed correctly. sources
____
Citations The citations were The citations had The citations had The citations
correctly introduced 1-2 errors. more than 3 had many
____ x2 and sourced with errors. errros or were
parenthetical missing
citations.
Project The paper was The paper was The paper was The paper was
turned in a folder missing one of missing 2-3 of missing more
Completion that contained: these items these items than three of
____ x2 Title page these items
Pledge page (signed)
Outline
Body of paper
Works Cited page
Note entries
Cover Page Bonus:
___ printed in color (or effectively printed in black and white)
___ contains a creative or appropriate title
___ demonstrates creative thought and expression
___ effectively captures the paper topic
___ acts as a cover page for research paper
Total Score: _______/100 + ______ = _______
Additional Comments:
