Research Paper Rubric

Content
10 The thesis statement is specific, interesting, and provable; it clearly
identifies the writer’s logical conclusions about the subject
5 The introduction adds effective commentary to the thesis
25 The essay follows the direction of the thesis; each paragraph following the
intro contributes to proving the validity of the thesis statement
5 The conclusion is all commentary and gives a finished feeling to the whole
analysis
5 The paper draws on a variety of sources to make its point

50 TOTAL CONTENT POINTS EARNED

Paragraph Organization
10 Topic sentences clearly and appropriately define each body paragraph’s
purpose; each sentence contributes to the paragraph’s purpose;
and each body paragraph has a concluding sentence to give it a
sense of completion
10 The writer has used appropriate transition words or repeated phrases to
make the composition coherent
10 The organization of the paragraphs within the essay is effective and
efficient

30 TOTAL PARAGRAPH ORGANIZATION POINTS

GSP & Style

10 Grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors do not interfere with reading;
the writer’s style enhances the paper
10 Quotations and paraphrases are incorporated smoothly; there are enough
of them to enhance the paper, but not more than are necessary;
they are not overly lengthy

20 TOTAL GSP & STYLE POINTS

100 TOTAL