MID-TERM

Grading Rubric for Sociology Writing Assignments Page 1

Reasoning Scoring Clarity Precision Relevancy Breadth Logic 4 Superior

Clear Thesis statement, thesis addresses the assigned topic, clear, effective transitions between ideas (topic sentences maintains focus)

Sufficient data and examples to support thesis, topic sentences and conclusions, assets claims only when have sufficient evidence to back it up.

All information relevant to logic of essay, disregards information that is irrelevant to question at hand

Approaches issues from variety of viewpoints (balanced presentation of sources) including well- developed opposing viewpoints

Multiple conclusions/implications follow from thesis and data, paper makes sense, order of ideas builds a relevant case

3 Good

Clear theses statement, thesis addresses the assigned topic

No more than 1 “opinion” unsupported by data

No more than 2 violations of relevancy

Presents other points of view but biases reader more heavily towards one over the others

Conclusions/implications follow from thesis and data; paper, overall makes sense, 1 or 2 ideas don’t logically flow

2 Satisfactory

Thesis statement posed as a series of questions, on point but not as focused as a single, clear, key thesis statement, adequate organization but transitions and focus not clearly maintained

No more than 2 “opinions” supported by data

3 violations of relevancy

Approaches issues from one supporting point of view and includes at least one opposing viewpoint as relevant to the topic

Conclusion offered based on thesis and data, paper makes sense but logic is hard to follow due to jumping around, conclusion still follows from thesis

1 Unsatisfactory

Ideas confusing, disconnected, purpose is unclear, thesis posed as announcing, (“In my paper I will discuss. . .”), topic sentences non- existent or random

Minimal supporting data, 3 or more opinions unsupported by data, primarily opinions supporting opinions

4 violations of relevancy, does not distinguish between relevant and irrelevant data

Only presents one point of view either pro or con on an issue, relies primarily on one source, heavily biases reader in favor of own position

Conclusion/Implication doesn’t follow from logic or conclusion is incomplete

0 Unacceptable

No clear thesis statement, fails to address assignment, lacks focus and organization

No Supporting data, unsupported opinions

Irrelevant, rambling, use of stories versus reasoned argument, distorts the data and/or states it inaccurately

Only considers own point of view/opinion, no use of reference material, no reference is made to source material, reasons with narrow or superficial point of view, unaware of own prejudices

No conclusion offered, paper does not make sense, arguments are confusing and do not hang together

Grading Rubric for Sociology Writing Assignments Page 2

Mechanics Scoring Grammar Spelling Punctuation Paragraphing 4 Superior

No more than 1 violation of grammar (incorrect word choice, verb tenses, agreement), use of formal language, no contractions, no slang

No more than 1 spelling error

No more than 1 error in punctuation

First paragraph 3-5 sentences, subsequent paragraphs 5-7 sentences, last paragraph 3-5 sentences

3 Good

2 violations of grammar, informal language, contractions or slang

2 violations of spelling

2 errors in punctuation

1 violation of any part of the superior standard

2 Satisfactory

3 violations of grammar, informal language, contractions or slang

3 violations of spelling

3 errors in punctuation

2 violations of any part of the superior standard

1 Unsatisfactory

4 violations of grammar, informal language, contractions or slang

4 violations of spelling

4 errors in punctuation

3 paragraphs more than 5-7 sentences in length (excepting the first and last paragraphs)

0 Unacceptable

5 or more violations of grammar, informal language, contractions or slang

5 or more violations of spelling

5 or more error in punctuation

4 violations of the standard and/or 1-2 sentence paragraphs, or the paper is one continuous paragraph

Grading Rubric for Sociology Writing Assignments Page 3

Presentation APA Style Scoring In-Text Citation ** Reference Page **

Title Page and Formatting **

4 Superior

0 violations of APA format, author’s ideas clearly cited both direct quotes and paraphrased ideas. Citations in the text (body) of the essay need to be found on the reference sheet, includes page numbers after direct quotes

0 violations of APA style standard as outlined in directions. References listed need to be found in the text of the paper.

Title page follows model provided, all information included, 12 pitch font, 1” margins

3 Good

No more than 1 violation of APA format

1 violation of APA style for reference page

NA

2 Satisfactory

2 violations of APA format

2 violations of APA style for reference page

NA

1 Unsatisfactory

3 or more violations of APA format, citations only used for direct quotes

3 violations of APA style for reference page

Missing information from Title page,

0 Unacceptable

4 or more violations of APA format Clearly plagiarized, no use of citations in paper

No reference page included

No title page, and/or font smaller/larger than 12 pitch, and/or any margin smaller/larger than 1”

**See documentation provided in class for model and standard for evaluation Your paper is unacceptable if: you fail to submit the required number of pages, there are any handwritten corrections on your final draft, you violate the font size and margin standards, the paper is late. . .