| Points Available | 100 | | GRADE EARNED | 100.00 | | 100.0% |
| Grading Criteria | Far Below ( 0 - 59% ) | Approach ( 60-69% ) | Meet ( 70-79% ) | Above Average ( 80-89% ) | | Excellent ( 90-100%) | Comments |
| Content | Content includes little or none of the assignment criteria. Major points are unclear. No support is evident. | Assignment content omits some required criteria. Major points lack clarity. Little or no effective support is evident. | Most of the required assignment content is present. Major points are adequately clear and addressed. Some support is evident and relevant. | All of the required assignment content is present. Major points are clear and effectively addressed. Support is comprehensive and relevant. | | All of the required assignment content is present. Major points are exceptionally clear and thoroughly addressed. Significant and best possible support is evident, relevant and convincing. | <Comments about this criterion> |
| Use of Sources | No outside academic sources were used to support major points. | Few relevant sources beyond assigned readings were used to support major points. Important relevant sources were neglected. Quoted material and paraphrasing were overused. | Sources were adequate, relevant and extended beyond assigned readings. Quoted material and paraphrasing are included to support major points and writer's idea development. | Sources are academic, current and/or relevant to support major points. Quoted material and paraphrasing is used effectively and consistently to support the major points and writer's idea development. | | Sources are academic, comprehensive, current and/or relevant. Quoted material and paraphrasing expertly support, extend, and inform ideas but do not substitute for the writer's own idea development. Sources are well synthesized to support major points. | <Comments about this criterion> |
| Thesis Development and Purpose | Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim. | Thesis and/or main claim are insufficiently developed and/or vague; purpose is not clear. | Thesis and/or main claim are apparent and appropriate to purpose. | Thesis and/or main claim are clear and forecast the development of the paper. It is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose. | | Thesis and/or main claim are comprehensive; contained within the thesis is the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear. | <Comments about this criterion> |
| Argument Logic and Construction | Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent. | Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic. | Argument is orderly, but may have a few inconsistencies. The argument presents minimal justification of claims. Argument logically, but not thoroughly, supports the purpose. Introduction and conclusion bracket the thesis. | Argument shows logical progression. Techniques of argumentation are evident.
There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. | | Clear and convincing argument presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. | <Comments about this criterion> |
| Mechanics of Writing
(includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use) | Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice and/or sentence construction are used. | Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register), sentence structure, and/or word choice are present. | Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are used. | Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. A variety of sentence structures and effective figures of speech are used. | | Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English. | <Comments about this criterion> |
| Paper Format
(Use of appropriate style for the major and assignment) | Template is not used appropriately, or documentation format is rarely followed correctly. | Appropriate template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken. A lack of control with formatting is apparent. | Appropriate template is used. Formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present. | Appropriate template is fully used. There are virtually no errors in formatting style. | | All format elements are correct. | <Comments about this criterion> |
| Research Citations
(In-text citations for paraphrasing and direct quotes, and reference page listing and formatting, as appropriate to assignment) | No reference page is included. No citations are used. | Reference page is present. Citations are inconsistently used. | Reference page is included and lists sources used in the paper. Sources are appropriately documented, although some errors may be present | Reference page is present and fully inclusive of all cited sources. Documentation is appropriate and citation style is usually correct. | | In-text citations and a reference page are complete and correct. The documentation of cited sources is free of error. | <Comments about this criterion> |
| | Percentage | Points Available | Rating (1 - 100%) | Category | | Points Earned |
| Content | 60% | 60 | 100% | Excellent | | 60.00 |
| Use of Sources | 10% | 10 | 100% | Excellent | | 10.00 |
| Thesis Development and Purpose | 7% | 7 | 100% | Excellent | | 7.00 |
| Paragraph Development and Transitions | 8% | 8 | 100% | Excellent | | 8.00 |
| Mechanics of Writing | 5% | 5 | 100% | Excellent | | 5.00 |
| Paper Format | 5% | 5 | 100% | Excellent | | 5.00 |
| Research Citations | 5% | 5 | 100% | Excellent | | 5.00 |
| Total | 100.0% | 100 | | | | 100.00 |