Term Project Paper Mona APUS

Category

Beginning

0-5 points

Developing

5-10 points

Accomplished

10-15 points

Exemplary

15-20 points

Thesis and Support

The writing may need a more clearly articulated thesis and/or appropriate related subordinate ideas. Fuzzy logic may be evident and adequate supporting evidence is lacking.

The writing has a clear thesis and related subordinate ideas supported by clear thinking and appropriate evidence. Logical arguments may be one-sided or incomplete.

The writing has a clearly articulated thesis supported by appropriate evidence and sound logic. Minor gaps in logic and argument may appear.

The writing has a clearly articulated original thesis and subordinate ideas supported by reliable and relevant evidence based on original research.

Organization

The writing is noticeably lacking in organization. There is no clear introduction nor conclusion and ideas are neither carefully nor fully developed. Supporting evidence is clearly lacking.

The writing demonstrates rudimentary organization and logical structure, but ideas may be more fully developed and supported by more appropriate evidence.

The writing is organized logically and flows well. An introduction and conclusion are evident, but transitions may be smoother.

The writing flows smoothly and logically from a well-defined thesis. It contains an appropriate introduction, conclusion, and smooth transitions.

Style

The writing lacks clarity and is sometimes confusing. The language chosen is not appropriate to the subject nor the assignment.

The writing is clear but could be expressed in a style more appropriate to the subject. It is jargon-free but may require a more complete explanation of some terms used.

The writing keeps the reader’s attention through a carefully crafted prose style Language chosen is appropriate to the subject, but may call attention to itself in minor ways.

The writing engages the reader through an original prose style appropriate to the subject. Language is precise.  Sentences are varied but not noticeably so. Active voice is apparent.

Mechanics/Syntax/Grammar

The writing exhibits substantial errors in grammar and style so that the basic ideas are lost.  Sources are overly quoted and not adequately documented nor cited.

The writing could benefit from additional proofreading, as some errors impede the flow of the reading. Sources are documented and cited but need to show greater consistency.

The writing may exhibit a few minor errors in grammar or style, but do impair the flow of the reading. Most quoted material is properly documented and cited.

The writing is free of grammatical, proofreading, and stylistic errors. All quoted material is properly documented and cited.

APA format

There are no resources cited.

References and in-text citations are included, but both are formatted incorrectly.

Either References or in-text citations are formatted incorrectly, or too much of the content is quoted or paraphrased, resulting in little original work.

References and in-text citations are included, appropriate and formatted correctly. Enough of the content is created by the student.