GRADING RUBRIC FOR A RESEARCH PAPER—ANY
DISCIPLINE
CATEGORY 4 3
Introduction/ *exceptional introduction
that grabs interest of reader
Thesis and states topic.
____ **thesis is exceptionally
clear, arguable, well-
developed, and a definitive
statement.
Quality of *paper is exceptionally
researched, extremely
Information/ detailed, and historically
Evidence accurate.
____ **information clearly
relates to the thesis.
Support of *exceptionally critical,
relevant and consistent
Thesis/Analysis connections made between
____ evidence and thesis.
**excellent analysis.
Organization/ *exceptionally clear,
logical, mature, and
Development of thorough development of
Thesis thesis with excellent
____ transitions between and
within paragraphs.
Conclusion *excellent summary of
topic with concluding ideas
____ that impact reader.
**introduces no new
information.
Style/Voice *style and voice are not
only appropriate to the
____ given audience and
purpose, but also show
originality and creativity.
**word choice is specific,
purposeful, dynamic and
varied.
***sentences are clear,
active (subject-verb-
object), and to the point.
Grammar/Usage/ *control of grammar,
usage, and mechanics.
Mechanics **almost entirely free of
____ spelling, punctuation, and
grammatical errors.
2 1
*proficient introduction *basic introduction that *weak or no
that is interesting and states topic but lacks introduction of topic.
states topic. interest. **paper’s purpose is
**thesis is clear and **thesis is somewhat unclear/thesis is weak
arguable statement of clear and arguable. or missing.
position.
*information relates to *information relates to *information has
the main topic. the main topic, few little or nothing to do
**paper is well- details and/or examples with the thesis.
researched in detail and are given. **information has
from a variety of **shows a limited weak or no
sources. variety of sources. connection to the
thesis.
*consistent connections *some connections *limited or no
made between evidence made between evidence connections made
and thesis and thesis. between evidence and
**good analysis. **some analysis. thesis.
**lack of analysis.
*clear and logical order *somewhat clear and *lacks development
that supports thesis logical development of ideas with weak or
with good transitions with basic transitions no transitions
between and within between and within between and within
paragraphs. paragraphs. paragraphs.
*good summary of *basic summary of topic *lack of summary of
topic with clear with some final topic.
concluding ideas. concluding ideas.
**introduces no new **introduces no new
information. information.
*style and voice *style and voice *style and voice
appropriate to the given somewhat appropriate to inappropriate or do
audience and purpose. given audience and not address given
**word choice is purpose. audience, purpose,
specific and purposeful, **word choice is often etc.
and somewhat varied unspecific, generic, **word choice is
throughout. redundant, and clichéd. excessively
***sentences are ***sentences are redundant, clichéd,
mostly clear, active somewhat unclear; and unspecific.
(SVO), and to the point. excessive use of passive ***sentences are very
voice. unclear.
*may contain few *contains several *so many spelling,
spelling, punctuation, spelling, punctuation, punctuation, and
and grammar errors. and grammar errors grammar errors that
which detract from the the paper cannot be
paper’s readability. understood.
Citation Format *conforms to M LA *conforms to M LA *frequent errors in M LA *lack of M LA
rules for formatting and rules for formatting and format. format/numerous
____ citation of sources are citation of sources with errors.
perfect. minor exceptions.

Works *entries entirely correct *entries mostly correct *frequent errors in M LA *lack of M LA
as to M LA format. as to M LA format. format. format/numerous
Cited/Bibliography errors.
____

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