Scoring

Rubric Synthesis Paper Name: ___________________________________________________________

10 (A+) Expert 9 (A) Strong 8 (B) Good 7 (C) Satisfactory 6 (D) Weak
Thesis Clear, thought-provoking and Clear thesis that uses Thesis uses clear Thesis may be unclear or Thesis may be contradictory,
insightful thesis that uses strong language and language and may contain use weak diction and may or confusedly stated, not
strong, assertive diction and contains a line of a line of reasoning. not contain a line of phrased in the form of
contains a line of reasoning. reasoning. reasoning. argument.
Evidence Contains sufficient evidence Contains evidence from 6 Contains evidence from 6 Contains insufficient Contains minimal evidence
from at least 6 sources that sources that mostly or possibly 5 sources that evidence from 5 or fewer from 4 or fewer sources that
supports thesis. Includes a supports thesis, but may somewhat supports sources that may consist may consist mostly of
balance of quotes and be lacking in balance thesis, but lacks in mostly of paraphrases. paraphrases.
paraphrases. between quotes and balance between quotes
paraphrases. and paraphrases.
Commentary Insightful and analytical Analytical commentary Somewhat analytical Commentary is basic and Commentary is in summary
commentary that synthesizes that synthesizes ideas in commentary that mostly lacking in depth. May form and adds little analysis
ideas in relation to thesis and relation to thesis with a synthesizes ideas in merely summarize to evidence provided.
demonstrates a unique strong, but not unique relation to thesis. evidence or state the
understanding of the understanding of the Understanding may be obvious.
material. material. basic and surface level.
Focus Maintains focus throughout Paper mostly focused Paper somewhat focused Paper may be difficult to Paper is extremely difficult to
using strong transitional throughout using some throughout using some follow at times using follow; does not use
words for sentences and transitional words. Mostly transition words. minimal transitional transitional words.
paragraphs. Essay is organized with clear Organized with a words. Has multiple
organized neatly into beginning, middle, and beginning, middle, and lapses in focus.
paragraphs with a clear end. May have minor end, but has lapses in
beginning, middle, and end. lapses in focus. focus.
Conventions No grammatical errors. A few grammatical errors. Multiple grammatical Contains a variety of Contains an excessive number
May not capitalize proper errors. May not capitalize errors in spelling, of errors that make the paper
nouns, may misplace proper nouns, may grammar, punctuation, difficult to read.
punctuation, syntax may misplace punctuation, and sentence structure.
not clearly communicate syntax may not clearly The ideas of the paper
ideas. communicate ideas. may be affected by these
errors.
MLA Formatting Follows all MLA formatting Mostly follows MLA Contains multiple errors Contains multiple errors Does not follow MLA
guidelines including formatting guidelines in formatting that do not in formatting that may requirements.
parenthetical citations. including parenthetical interfere with readability. interfere with readability.
citations, but may have a
few minor errors.
Annotated Works Cited page is correctly Works Cited page is Works Cited page is Works Cited page Works Cited page contains a
Bibliography formatted and annotations mostly correctly mostly correctly contains incorrect number of incorrectly
are details. formatted and formatted, but formatting and/ or formatted elements and/ or
annotations are mostly annotations may be annotations may be annotations may be severely
detailed, but could lacking in detail/ lacking in detail/ lacking in detail/ explanation.
provide more explanation. explanation.
explanation.

__________/ 70 x 5 = ____________/ 350