Senior Project Research Paper Rubric

Student Name Support Teacher First Draft___ Final Draft___

Score________

Element Advanced Proficient Basic Below Basic Comments

Correct format
Margins, All elements present: Margins, Page Numbering, Spacing, Font, Thesis
Minor format errors Many and/or severe
M Font, bolded Missing one format errors
Length exceeds minimum page requirements
L Structure, element Missing, incomplete
A Outline, etc. Length meets and/or incorrect more
minimum page than one of the
F requirements elements
O Insufficient length
R
M Correct format Correct format Correct format Incorrect format
A Parenthetic Few or no errors (0-1) Few errors (2-3) At least 3 sources Does not use all
T Citations Effective and varied cited in document documents from
use of parenthetical Knows when to cite Works Cited page
3 citations Some errors but not Insufficient citations
0 distracting to reader of facts and/or not
(4 or less) citing paraphrased
P Sufficient citation of quotes
O facts Many errors (5+)
I No citations used
N No format errors No format errors Correct format with Uses less than 3
T Works Cited Uses 3+ types of Uses 3+ types of some minor errors types of sources
S sources sources (less than 2) Sources not
Uses 5+ sources Uses 4+ sources Uses 3 types of alphabetized
sources Incorrect format
Sources Too many errors (3+)
alphabetized No Works Cited page

Engaging opening Opening strong Opening present Opening missing

Opening/ Compelling position Strong position Topic is evident Topic, thesis and/or
C Thesis Position is apparent position is not
Statement present or unclear
O Thesis is not
arguable or is a
N statement of fact

T Organization Strong use of topic Consistent use of Topic sentences Weak or no topic
sentences topic sentences used sentences used
E Organization is clear Organization is well- Some organization Little organization
and effective defined evident evident
N
N Concrete Concrete detail Concrete detail Concrete detail Some concrete detail
Detail: engaging and systematically builds supports thesis does not support
T Quality/ compelling argument Concrete detail is thesis
Quantity Concrete detail used relevant to position Weak data
consistently to form a Sufficient data to Incorrect use of
7 cohesive argument prove thesis concrete detail
5 Too much factual
data reads like a
P report
O
I Consistently weaves Commentary helps Some links between Commentary may be
N Commentary commentary and develop argument commentary, facts, present but not tied to
T : Quality/ concrete detail Persuades reader and thesis factual data
S Quantity Draws reader to Develops clear ties Convincing Insufficient use of
position between commentary Appropriate to topic commentary or too
Ideas clearly and thesis Holds readers much commentary
presented Ratio of facts to interest (essay like)
Compelling opinion well balanced Adequate balance Not engaging
Ratio of facts to and appropriate to between fact and Repetitive
opinion is effectively topic commentary commentary
balanced and
appropriate to topic
Synthesis of Compelling Effective Conclusion repeats
Conclusion information Clearly goes beyond Sense of completion opening or thesis
Raises issues to thesis Attempts to go Weak or lacking
greater whole Raises new or related beyond thesis conclusion
Smooth and logical issue for future Attempts to look at Leaves reader
discussion big picture hanging

Demonstrates original Develops style using Paper reads Progression

S Readability style using appropriate academic smoothly; basic inconsistent; choppy
T sophisticated diction academic diction Casual, informal in
Y academic diction Some sentence Clear progression of style.
L Paper is interesting to variety argument Sentences lack
E read Consistent use of Attempts originality variety or originality
Consistently varies transitions and sentence variety Errors distract reader
2 sentence structure and Reader not engaged
0 length
Transitions are varied
P
O Mechanics Demonstrates Evidence of careful Evidence of editing Little or no evidence
I (Grammar, excellence in grammar, editing and revising and revising of editing or revising
N punctuation, syntax, and mechanics Few errors Some mechanical Many grammar errors
T etc) of writing throughout throughout the paper errors, but do not Many mechanical
S the paper Syntax is good interfere with errors
throughout paper readability Poor syntax
Minor problems with
grammar or syntax
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Thesis Statement, Parenthetical Citations, Works Cited page and