RESEARCH PAPER GRADING RUBRIC
CATEGORY 4 3
Introduction/ *exceptional introduction
that grabs interest of
Thesis reader 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.
/ **almost entirely free of
Mechanics spelling, punctuation, and
____ grammatical errors.
2 1
*proficient *basic introduction that *weak or no
introduction that is states topic but lacks introduction of topic.
interesting and states interest. **paper’s purpose is
topic. **thesis is somewhat unclear/thesis is
**thesis is clear and clear and arguable. weak or missing.
arguable statement of
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 are given. **information has
and from a variety of **shows a limited weak or no
sources. variety of sources. connection to the
thesis.
*consistent *some connections *limited or no
connections made made between evidence connections made
between evidence and and thesis. between evidence
thesis **some analysis. and thesis.
**good analysis. **lack of analysis.
*clear and logical *somewhat clear and *lacks development
order that supports logical development of ideas with weak or
thesis with good with basic transitions no transitions
transitions between between and within between and within
and within paragraphs. paragraphs. paragraphs.
*good summary of *basic summary of *lack of summary of
topic with clear topic 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 somewhat appropriate inappropriate or do
given audience and to given audience and not address given
purpose. purpose. audience, purpose,
**word choice is **word choice is often etc.
specific and unspecific, generic, **word choice is
purposeful, and redundant, and clichéd. excessively
somewhat varied ***sentences are redundant, clichéd,
throughout. somewhat unclear; and unspecific.
***sentences are excessive use of ***sentences are
mostly clear, active passive voice. very unclear.
(SVO), and to the
point.
*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 MLA *conforms to MLA *frequent errors in *lack of MLA
rules for formatting rules for formatting MLA format. format/numerous
____ and citation of and citation of sources errors.
sources are perfect. with minor exceptions.

Works *entries entirely *entries mostly correct *frequent errors in *lack of MLA
correct as to MLA as to MLA format. MLA format. format/numerous
Cited/Bibliograph format. errors.
y
____

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