Criteria

Total

Research Paper Rubric

20

30

40

50

Argument:
Problems/Solutio
ns

The essay does not adequately show what the

problem is (its causes, effects, symptoms, etc.)
The essay does not adequately discuss
solutions to the problem that they have
discussed.

The essay shows some parts of what

the problem is exactly. Going into
some depth in the (causes, effects,
symptoms, examples). The essay also
does not discuss the solutions in much
depth leaving the reader confused at
how effective the solutions could be,
how easy they are to implement, and
why they could work.

The essay shows most aspects of the

problem, going into depth in the causes,
effects, symptoms, and examples. The essay
also discusses the solutions in some depth
discussing how effective the solution could
be, how it could be implemented, and why
they could work.

The essay shows all aspects of the

problem, going into great depth in the
causes, effects, symptoms, and
examples. The essay also discusses the
solutions in much depth discussing
how effective the solution could be,
how it could be implemented, and why
they could work.

30

Framing
(Sandwiching)
Direct Quotes,
Summaries &
Paraphrases

The paper use quotations often with giving

proper lead ins to develop context, and then
offers little commentary on what the quotation
does or how it works in the essay.

The paper uses quotations and a few

paraphrases, or summaries but only
sometimes gives lead-ins introducing
the context, and the commentary is
short and not well developed.

The paper uses quotations, paraphrases, and

summaries but the lead-ins and
commentary only go into some depth in
giving context and explaining how the
evidence being applied impacts or effects
their argument.

The paper mixes use of quotations,

paraphrases, and summaries to show
they know their evidence well, but also
gives good context through the leadins and goes into great depth
discussing why the evidence they use
is important.

30

Most or all citations lack proper formatting

and/or do not correspond to the Works Cited
page

Some citations lack proper formatting

or are missing entirely or do not
correspond with Works Cited page

There are a few citation errors, however

most sources are appropriately referenced
and correspond to the Works Cited page

The citations are all properly

formatted, skillfully incorporated into
paper, and correspond to the Works
Cited page

35

The ideas given in this essay are not coherent

in that the reader cannot tell what should come
next, or why something comes next.

The ideas given in this essay are

sometimes coherent and fit together
smoothly, but some ideas organization
is confusing.

The ideas for both the problems and

solutions flow logically, but there may be
some confusion.

The ideas given in this essay follow

well, and move logically from one idea
to the next with little confusion.

30

12

In-Text Citations

Organization

Grammar, Usage,
and Spelling
Works Cited

Revisions and
Editing
MLA Formatting

There are many distracting errors present,

there seems to be no proofreading.

The required sources are incomplete and little

to no attention was paid to formatting

16

20

There are several errors that are

slightly distracting in grammar, usage,
and mechanics.

There are a few errors in grammar, usage,

and mechanics that are only distracting in a
minor way.

There are few to no errors that distract

the reader from the meaning of the
essay.

You have at least 5 resources, but did

meet the criteria for required
resources. Minor formatting issues
may exist

The required number and type of sources is

present, but there are some minor
formatting issues

The works cited page is properly

formatted with the required number
and type of sources

Less than half of the changes were made

according to the feedback given by the teacher.

Around half of the changes were made

according to the feedback given by the
teacher.

Most of the changes were made according to

the feedback given by the teacher.

All of the changes were made

according to the feedback given by the
teacher.

Few of the rules for MLA Formatting were

followed.

Around half of the rules for the MLA

Formatting were followed.

Most of the rules for MLA Formatting were

followed with a few minor mistakes.

There are no mistakes in MLA

Formatting.

16
8

8
16

Criteria

Total

Research Paper Rubric

Total Point

Intentional or not, there are too many instances of plagiarism and this paper has earned a grade of zero.
10 pt. deduction for incomplete or unreliable checklist marks
10 pt. deduction for failure to highlight thesis statement and evidence of works cited page

170

/ 280

60 D