Theological Research Paper

Essay Criteria /

1) Thesis: Is there one, clear, insightful idea?

a) Is there one clear idea around which the essay is written? "Idea" means minimally a

subject and predicate; "idea" does not mean topic, i.e., a noun or noun phrase.)

b) If yes, what is it?

c) Is it clearly stated in the essay? Where is it stated?

d) Is the thesis worded precisely? How could it be more precise?

e) How insightful or imaginative is the idea? Does it rehearse commonplaces or does it

reflect critical thinking (Would most of the students in class learn something from

reading the essay? What? Would the instructor learn something new?)

2) Unity: Does everything in the essay relate to the main idea?

a) If not, find examples of what does not belong in the essay.

b) What are the different parts of the essay that are used to argue the main point?

(These may be "pro" or "con." In each case, do these relate to the main idea?

c) Is it made clear how the different parts and ideas of the essay fit together?

(Are the structure and argument coherent?)

3) Argument: Is the idea developed by reasons (arguments) and evidence?

a) If so, what are the major reasons given in support of the thesis? (Often these would be the

topic sentences. Are there clearly worded topic sentences? Is their relation to the thesis clear?)

b) Are there unsupported generalizations that weaken the argument?

c) Are there questions that should be called into the question, but are not? (Are there

counter positions that are taken up that refute the thesis? Are these taken seriously and

then considered in a way that strengthens the overall thesis?)

d) Are there any inaccuracies of fact?

e) Are there a sufficient number and range of facts to support the main idea?

f) Are the arguments logically constructed? Are there flaws in the logic? What are they?

g) Is the evidence presented concrete, specific, and convincing?

h) Are any arguments or examples superficial or commonplace?

i) Are there any sections that are not clear? Where?

4) Conventions: Do the essay's mechanics, grammar, and conventions demonstrate careful preparation and processing of the main idea?

a) Are any sections not clear because of sloppiness, grammatical errors or stylistic awkwardness?

b) Are there spelling, and proofreading errors that could have easily been avoided by spell-check or simple editing?

c) How frequent are grammatical errors? How much is the credibility of the essay undercut by such errors?