Who can write a research paper?

Claim is unique, insightful, focused

Balance of logos/pathos

Claim is thought-provoking, focused

Claim is clear, somewhat focused

Claim is broad,

all fact or all opinion

Scope is defined through background, defined abstract terms

Scope is left quite open

Evidence is integrated with clear frames, authority and credibility

Strong links to claim

Evidence is offered with some frames, some authority or credibility.

Links to claim

Evidence is offered but dropped in without frame, or few direct links to claim

Evidence is weak or absent; no ties to claim

Author drives the argument

Evidence drives the argument

Evidence* is strong and credible (peer-reviewed/academic sources & gov. docs dominate the foundation of the argument)

Evidence is strong and credible (peer-reviewed sources used, mixed with solid news and government documents)

Evidence is mostly credible

Some sources light or bias without acknowledgement

Sources are pulled from pop culture, websites and news

Thoughtfully offers a researched-based counter-perspective and a rebuttal/research-based response

Acknowledges oppositional forces and addresses them with opposing research

Acknowledges oppositional forces and addresses them

Does not thoughtfully address oppositional forces

Conclusion goes beyond simply restating the argument; it enlightens, illuminates and places the claim in a broader picture

Conclusion places the claim in a broader picture and encourages further thought

Conclusion attempts to place the claim in a broader picture

Conclusion restates argument & evidence

Used 3+ academic journals*

Used 2+ academic journals

Used 1 academic journal

Used no academic journals

Well-balanced and varied sources

Relying on multiple different works and authors

Mostly balanced and varied sources

Relying on several different works and authors

Somewhat balanced and varied sources

Relying on a few different works and authors

Unbalanced sources

relying primarily on a single work or author

All sources have MLA citations (direct quotes, paraphrases, images)

Inconsistent in-text citations

Writer provides strong, credible evidence to support the claim

Writer provides credible evidence to support the claim

Writer provides evidence to support the claim but credibility varies

evidence does not directly support the claim OR offers suspicious evidence