for A-plus Writer

Criteria

Level 4

Level 3

Level 2

Level 1

Thesis or Statement of Purpose

5 points

Readily apparent to the reader; concisely stated in a single sentence, which is engaging and thought provoking. 

4 points

Clear but may sometimes digresses in the paper; stated in a single sentence. 

3 points

Not consistently clear; stated in a single sentence. 

2 points

Generally unclear; Incomplete, unfocused, or absent. 

Introduction

5 points

Relevance of Public Safety leadership is apparent. The groundwork for paper easy to predict because important topics that will be discussed are specifically mentioned. 

4 points

A good attempt is made as to why the topic is pertinent but may be slightly unclear, or lacking in insight or originality. Organization for rest of the paper stated

3 points

May be unclear (contain many vague terms), appear unoriginal, or offer relatively little that is new; provides little around which to structure the paper. 

2 points

No reference to the topic, audience or relevance. 

Content

30 points

Can earn from 27-30 points. Clear examples to support the leadership style with clear presentation of current challenge; support of the overall purpose; reader gains important insight; analysis poses novel ways to think of the material; quoted material well integrated; depth of coverage without being redundant. 

26 points

Can earn from 24-26 points. Examples support the leadership style with clear presentation of current challenge; reader gains some insight; occasional evidence of novel ways to think about the material Quotes well integrated into sentences. Topics adequately addressed but not in detail or depth.

23 points

Can earn from 21-23 points. Examples support the leadership style with clear presentation of current challenge; reader gains little insight; The essay relies on quotes and paraphrasing that are poorly connected. Examples support some topic sentences; no evidence of novel thinking and intermittent support through evidence. 

20 points

Can earn from 0-20 points. The essay relies on stringing together quotes or close paraphrasing; Failure to support statements with major content omitted; Quotes not integrated, improperly. 

Organization and Critical Thinking

10 points

Can earn from 9-10 points. The ideas are arranged logically to support the purpose. Conclusions are supported by evidence Transitions link paragraphs. It’s easy to follow the line reasoning. Subheadings are used throughout the paper allowing the reader to reader moves easily through the text. Paragraphs have solid topic sentences. 

8 points

The ideas are arranged logically to support the central purpose. Conclusions are clearly stated. Transitions usually link paragraphs. For the most part, the reader can follow the line of reasoning. Subheadings are used throughout the paper to guide the reader without undue confusion; a few paragraphs without strong topic sentences. 

7 points

In general, ideas are arranged logically, but sometimes ideas fail to make sense together or result in conclusions. The reader is fairly clear about what writer intends. While subheadings are used, the content beneath them does not follow; many paragraphs without topic sentences. 

6 points

Can earn from 0-6 points. Ideas are not logically. Organized. Frequently, ideas fail to make sense together. The reader cannot identify a line of reasoning. Subheadings not used. Few or no topic sentences. 

Sentence Structure

5 points

Sentences are well-phrased and varied in length and type. They flow smoothly from one to another with no run on sentences or comma splices. 

4 points

Sentences are correct with minor variety in length and structure. The flow from sentence to sentence is generally smooth although some run on sentences are present. 

3 points

Some sentences are awkwardly constructed so that the reader is occasionally distracted. Run on sentences are present or Short, simple and compound sentences prevail. 

2 points

Errors in sentence structure are frequent enough to be a major distraction to the reader. Run no’s and fragments common. 

Word Choice

5 points

Word choice is consistently precise and accurate. The writer uses the active voice. 

4 points

Word choice is generally good. The writer often finds words that are more precise and effective. Unnecessary words are occasionally used.

3 points

Word choice is merely adequate, and the range of words is limited. Some words are used inappropriately. Unnecessary words are fairly common.

2 points

Many words are used inappropriately, confusing the reader. It is difficult for the reader to understand what the writer is trying to express. 

Grammar, Spelling, Writing Mechanics (punctuation, italics, capitalization, etc.)

10 points

Can earn between 9-10 points. Essentially free of grammatical errors; The writing is free or almost free of errors. 

8 points

A few grammatical errors; There are occasional errors, but they don't represent a major distraction or obscure meaning.

7 points

Several grammatical errors; The writing has many errors, and the reader is distracted by them. 

1 point

Can earn between 0-6 points. Pattern of ungrammatical writing; There are so many errors that meaning is obscured. The reader is confused and stops reading. 

Conclusion

10 points

Can earn from 9-10 points. The writer makes succinct and precise conclusions and/or recommendations Suggestions for future leadership approaches clearly stated. 

8 points

Some of the conclusions and recommendations, however, are not supported. Suggestions for future leadership approaches are offered. 

7 points

Some of the conclusions and recommendations, however, are not supported; weak or trite suggestions for future. 

6 points

Can earn from 0-6 points. There is little or no indication that the writer tried to synthesize the information or to draw conclusions or make recommendations; no suggestions for future.

Reference Quality (Information Literacy)

10 points

Can earn from 9-10 points. References are primarily peer reviewed professional journals or other approved sources; Numerous relevant scholarly sources (and primary sources, where available and appropriate) demonstrating extensive, in-depth research; little reliance on tertiary sources. 

8 points

Although most of the references are professionally legitimate, a few are questionable (e.g., trade books, internet sources, popular magazines, etc). Several relevant secondary sources, revealing adequate research.

7 points

Most of the references are from sources that are not peer reviewed and have uncertain reliability. Several relevant secondary sources, more than one tertiary source; some facts not referenced; displays minimal effort in selecting quality sources. 

6 points

Can earn from 0-6 points. There are virtually no sources that are professionally reliable. Over-reliance on tertiary sources; spotty documentation of facts in text. 

APA Format

5 points

APA format is used accurately and consistently in the paper and on the "References" page. The references in the list match the in-text citations and all were properly encoded in APA format. 

4 points

APA is used with minor errors. Some formatting problems exist, or some components are missing. No more than one or two citation errors. 

3 points

There are several errors in APA format. Format. References or Works Cited list were not cited in the text.

2 points

Format of the document is not recognizable as APA format; References or Works Cited list were not cited in the text. Pattern of citation errors. 

Length

5 points

Number of pages specified in the assignment. 

4 points

Number of pages specified in the assignment.

3 points

Without approval paper has more or fewer pages than specified. 

2 points

Without approval paper has more or fewer pages than specified. 

Overall Score

A Grade
90 or more

B Grade
80 or more

C Grade
70 or more

D or F Grade
0 or more