RUBRIC FOR ENSP386 ACADEMIC RESEARCH PAPER—90 points total
Note: grading between increments is at the discretion of the advisor
CATEGORY 12-15 points
Introduction/Topic Exceptional introduction
that grabs interest of
reader and states topic.
Thesis/topic is
____ points
exceptionally clear, well-
developed, and a
definitive statement.
Content Paper is exceptionally
knowledge: researched, contains 7
sources total (including 3
Quality of peer reviewed articles);
Research the sources support the
thesis argument in a
logical manner.
References are correctly
cited.
____ points
Content Exceptionally critical,
application: relevant and consistent
connections made
Support of Thesis between evidence and
& Analysis thesis. Excellent analysis.
____ points
Conclusion Excellent summary of
thesis argument with
concluding ideas that
impact reader.
____ points
Introduces no new
information.
Writing Writing is clear and
relevant, with no
grammatical and/or
spelling errors – polished
and professional.
Reference, citations and
images are properly
formatted.
____ points
Annotated Annotations sufficiently
Bibliography and succinctly summarize,
evaluate, and reflect on
the source.
____ points
Total: _____/90
Created May 2018 – A. Mazur-Gray
8-11 points 4-7 points 0-3 points
Proficient introduction Basic introduction that Weak or no
that is interesting and states topic but lacks introduction of topic.
states topic. interest. Thesis/topic is Paper’s purpose is
Thesis/topic is clear somewhat clear and unclear. Thesis/topic
and arguable statement arguable. is weak or missing.
of position.
Information relates to Information relates to Information has little
the main topic. the main topic, but few or nothing to do with
Paper, is well- details and/or examples the thesis.
researched in detail and are given. Shows a Information has weak
from 7 good sources limited variety of or no connection to
(including 3 peer- sources. References are the thesis. References
reviewed articles). not cited correctly. are not cited
References are correctly.
correctly cited.
Consistent connections Some connections made Limited or no
are made between between evidence and connections made
evidence and thesis. thesis. Some analysis. between evidence and
Good analysis. thesis. Lack of
analysis.
Good summary of topic Basic summary of topic Lack of summary of
with clear concluding with some final topic.
ideas. concluding ideas.
Introduces no new Introduces no new
information. information.
Most ideas are stated Many ideas require Paper does not meet
clearly and are related clarification, are off- the criteria for the
to the topic, with only topic or have little assignment (too short
minor grammatical relevance to the or incomplete, too
and/or spelling errors. assignment. Many long, and/or
References, citations grammatical and/or completely off-topic).
and images are spelling errors; very Reference, citations
adequate. challenging to read, and images section is
poor writing flow. missing.
Improper references
and/or citations section.
Annotations Some annotations Most annotations
sufficiently and provide inadequate provide inadequate
adequately summarize, summary, evaluation, summary, evaluation,
evaluate, and reflect on and/or reflection. and/or reflection.
the source.