Final Research Paper Guidelines

Format of the paper: double-spaced; Times New Roman, 12pt font; “Normal” margins on all sides, page
number in the upper right corner
Structure of the paper: Introduction; Body Paragraph 1, Body Paragraph 2, Body Paragraph 3; Conclusion;
Reference List
Word count: minimum 1200 words, maximum 1500 words (including reference list); at least 75% of the whole
paper must be your own work (maximum 25% can be quotations, paraphrasing, etc. from sources)
Deadline: December 15, 2022
Research Paper will be a result of process-based writing, which will include: 
• A first draft, reviewed by peers on November 23th, 2022
• A second draft, reviewed and commented on by the professor and discussed in a mandatory writing
conference from November 31st, 2022 to December 5th, 2022
• A final draft and submission on December 15, 2022

THE RUBRIC FOR HOW I WILL GRADE YOUR FINAL DRAFT IS AS FOLLOWS:

Paper Rubric
Grade Thesis Organization Evidence Mechanics
A The writer knows what Every paragraph Concrete examples The paper uses
he/she wants to say and supports the main support general points correct spelling
why he/she wants to say argument in a coherent within the essay. The and punctuation. In
it. The thesis is the way, and clear paper explains the source short, it generally
governing idea that transitions point out why and significance of each exhibits a good
clearly determines what each new paragraph example. command of
goes into the entire follows the previous one. academic prose.
paper, and the writer uses
the thesis to change the
reader's vision.
Grade Thesis Organization Evidence Mechanics
B · The paper has a solid, The paper as a whole The paper offers a mix of The paper contains
consistent focus, but it works in a logical way, solid evidence and occasional but
doesn't quite know why it but the paragraphs unsupported limited errors in
does what it does. within it do not always generalizations. It uses syntax, agreement,
· The paper includes follow a consistent logic. most evidence well, but pronoun reference,
some imaginative ideas Some paragraphs do not the paper needs some and/or punctuation.
that hint at a convincing offer a reason why they more or needs to clarify
and important argument, appear where they do. the significance of some
but they are not yet of what is already there.
working consistently as
an argument.
Grade Thesis Organization Evidence Mechanics
C The paper replaces an The observations of the The paper offers very little The paper contains
 argument with a topic, paper are listed rather
giving a series of related than organized. Often,
observations without this is a symptom of a
suggesting a logic for problem in developing
their presentation or a the thesis, as the framing
reason for presenting of the paper has not
them. provided a path for
evidence to follow.
Grade Thesis Organization
D The paper lacks even a The observations are
consistent topic, listed rather than
providing a series of organized, and some of
largely unrelated them do not appear to
observations. belong in the paper at
all.
Grade Thesis Organization
F The paper shows little The paper loses the
sign of a thesis — a reader. Both essay and
single controlling idea. paragraphs lack
coherence.
concrete evidence, instead frequent errors in
relying on (plot) summary syntax, agreement,
or generalities to talk pronoun reference,
about a text. If concrete and/or punctuation.
evidence is present, its
origin or significance is
not clear.
Evidence Mechanics
The paper offers no The paper contains
concrete evidence or consistent and
misuses a little evidence. basic errors in
It does still try to support syntax, agreement,
its thesis, though. reference, spelling,
and/or punctuation.
Evidence Mechanics
The paper uses plagiarized The paper contains
or inapplicable evidence. constant and
glaring mechanical
errors.

Key to Comments on Drafts

??? = I just don’t understand
AU = Article Usage
AWK = Awkward phrasing or construction
CITE = Improper Citation or Lacking Citation
Format = Follow the guidelines/rules for presenting the paper (refer to syllabus or handouts)
FRAG = Sentence Fragment
GC = Grammar Check
ICS = Incomplete sentence &/or idea
MA = Missing Article
MI/S/EV/EX/App = Main Idea/Support/Evidence/Example/Applied to Thesis
MW = Missing Word
PARA = Paragraph requirements
PL= Plural usage
PPN = Possessive Pronouns
PUNC = Punctuation
Rephrase = Rewrite the sentence or idea utilizing proper grammar rules
Run-on = Run-on sentence
SP = Spelling
Splice = Comma Splice
Superficial = You are just touching on the subject, needs more in-depth explanation
SVO = Subject/Verb/Object
VT = Verb Tense
WA = Wrong Article
WC = Word Choice
WO = Word Order
WU = Word Usage
WW = Wrong Word
WWF = Wrong Word Form