CATEGORY

Argument/Style
(50%)

The paper
includes a strong
thesis which is
proven by the
supporting
analysis, quotes,
and speculation.

The paper
includes a
strong thesis
which is
supported by the
supporting
analysis, quotes,
and speculation.

The paper
includes a thesis
and relevant
supporting
details which
discuss the
thesis.

The paper
includes a
thesis, with no
arguments or
supporting
details relating
to the thesis.

The paper
does not
include a
thesis and the
paper does not
include an
argument
relating to the
thesis.

Grammar/Usage
(20%)

Paper contains
no more than
three or four
minor
mechanics,
usage, grammar,
spelling, or
paragraphing
errors total.

Paper has a
couple of errors
per page that do
not prevent the
reader from
reading easily.

Paper contains
three or more
errors per page
or contains
errors that cause
the reader to
stumble in
places.

Errors are
frequent and
distracting
and/or
paragraphing is
not present at
all.

Essay is
barely
readable
because there
are so many
errors

Structure (10%)

The paper
follows all
applicable MLA
standards. The
paper has a
heading on page
1 and a running
heading
throughout. The
paper includes a
thesis, an intro,
at least three
supporting
paragraphs, and
a conclusion.

The paper
follows most of
the MLA
standards. The
paper has a
heading on page
1 and a running
heading
throughout. The
paper includes a
thesis, an intro,
at least three
supporting
paragraphs and
a conclusion

The paper
follows some
MLA standards.
The paper has a
heading on page
1 but may be
missing a
running heading
throughout. The
paper includes a
thesis, and intro,
two supporting
paragraphs and
a conclusion.

The paper
follows
minimal MLA
standards. The
paper may not
have a heading
or running
heading. The
paper includes
a thesis, intro,
one supporting
paragraph, and
a conclusion.

The paper
follows no
MLA
standards. The
paper may
have a missing
heading or
running
heading. There
may be a
missing thesis,
intro,
supporting
paragraph, or
conclusion.

Content (10%)

Paper includes
text citations for
paraphrase &
quotes; quotes
are embedded
grammatically
with correct
punctuation.

Citations for
paraphrase &
quotes not
always
included; minor
embedding or
punctuation
errors are
present, but few.

Paper includes
both direct
quote and
paraphrase, but
these are not
cited or there
are frequent
embedding &
punctuation
errors.

Quotes are
present but are
not embedded.
Paraphrase may
or may not be
cited.

No direct
quotation is
present at all;
no citations
are present.

Poster (5%)

Poster is easy to
read, organized,
eye-catching,
and created with
an original idea.

Poster is easy to
read, eyecatching, and
created with an
original idea.

Poster is
relatively easy
to read, but may
not be eyecatching or an
original idea.

Poster is a
struggle to
read, and may
not be an
original idea.

Poster is
almost
impossible to
read, is not an
original idea,
and is not eyecatching.

Presentation (5%)

Presentation is
easy to hear and
understand with
only one or two
filler words,
and is between
one and two
minutes.

Presentation is
easy to hear and
understand with
between two
and five filler
words, and is
between one
and two
minutes.

Presentation has
between two
and five filler
words, and
between one
and two
minutes, but is
difficult to hear
or understand.

Presentation is
difficult to hear
and understand,
has more than
five filler
words, and is
slightly above
or below time
requirements.

Presentation is
difficult to
hear and
understand,
has more than
five filler
words, and is
far above or
below time
requirements.