Brief Paper 1

Criteria

Levels of Achievement

Content

Advanced

Proficient

Developing

Not Present

Discussion of Assigned Topic

29 to 30 points

Excellent details and examples are provided. The author discusses all required elements, and balances the discussion with a similar amount of content for each required item.

26 to 28 points

The required elements are discussed in a proficient manner. Some of the information is incomplete or unclear. The author provides some details and examples.

1 to 25 points

The required elements are poorly developed. Most of the information is incomplete. The author does not provide sufficient details or examples.

0 points

Not present

Analysis and Critique

27 to 29 points

A thoughtful, focused, in-depth analysis of the topic is presented.

25 to 26 points

Information provides reasonable support for a critique. It displays evidence of a basic analysis.

1 to 24 points

Information supports a critique. Analysis is basic and general. Reader gains few insights.

0 points

Not present

Practical Application

14 points

Practical application describing the information learned with good personal insight for application or future use in higher education.

12 to 13 points

Applies most of the information learned appropriately with some personal insight for application or future use.

1 to 11 points

Applies some of the information learned appropriately with little personal insight for application or future use.

0 points

Not present

Biblical Worldview

13 points

Relevant scriptural principles and perspectives from a biblical worldview are included. The author provides at least 1 relevant Bible verse for this topic.

12 points

A biblical worldview is presented with supporting scripture, however some of the information is incomplete or unclear. The author provides some details and examples.

1 to 11 points

Application of a biblical worldview is poorly developed. Most of the information is incomplete. The author does not provide details or examples.

0 points

Not present

Structure

Advanced

Proficient

Developing

Not Present

Spelling, Grammar, and Sentence Structure

12 to 13 points

Correct spelling, grammar, and sentence structure are used throughout the essay. There are 0–2 errors that distract the reader from the content.

11 points

There are 3–5 errors in spelling, grammar, or sentence structure that distract the reader from the content.

1 to 10 points

There are 6–10 errors in spelling, grammar, or sentence structure that distract the reader from the content.

0 points

There are more than 10 errors in the spelling, grammar, or sentence structure that distract the reader from the content.

APA Format Compliance

12 to 13 points

There are 0–1 minor errors in current APA format in the required items: title page, abstract page, margins, font type and size, line spacing, headings, citations, and references.

11 points

There are 2–3 minor errors in current APA format in the required items.

1 to 10 points

There are more than 3 errors in current APA format in the required items.

0 points

A title page is not present and/or there are more than 5 errors in current APA format in the required items.

Word Count and References

12 to 13 points

The body of the paper is 1,000–1,200 words. The paper includes at least 3 references in addition to the Bible.

11 points

The body of the paper is 800–1,000 words. The paper includes only 2 references in addition to the Bible.

1 to 10 points

The body of the paper is less than 800 words. The paper includes only 1 reference.

0 points

Not present