Linguistics

Research Paper Rubric Student: Points: /100

Great Good Mediocre Poor Thesis and Argument /10

(10) Thesis is clear and provocative, and is supported with compelling evidence.

(8) Clear, well-supported thesis.

(6) States an argument, but does not give much support, OR gives a broad topic without developing a particular stance.

(0) Thesis and topic unclear, or non-existent.

Analysis /20

(20) Uses all sources in meaningful ways. Demonstrates a good understanding of the authors’ argument, and integrates them into the paper’s own argument.

(18) Uses most sources in meaningful ways. Engages with sources but does not cover all of them.

(15) Relies heavily on a just few sources to the exclusion of the others. Unclear if student understands all their sources.

(10) Simply summarizes main points of sources without further analysis.

Connections /10

(10) Rich connections between all sources. All sources fully synthesized into a well-structured analysis.

(8) Ties together most of the sources. Some disjointedness.

(6) Connections made between a few of the sources, but no overarching synthesis.

(0) No attempted connections between sources. Paper is a collection of disjointed sources.

Course Concepts /20

(20) Demonstrates a full understanding of concepts learned in the course by defining them correctly and applying them to the sources in innovative, compelling ways.

(18) Demonstrates an understanding of concepts learned in the course by defining them correctly and applying them to the sources.

(15) Shows some understanding of concepts learned in the course. Concepts are not applied beyond examples already given in the course.

(10) Concepts used in incorrect ways, OR are superficially mentioned without application.

Structure /10

(10) Extremely well- structured, with an introduction and conclusion. Argument flows through entire paper.

(8) Well-structured. Argument flows through paper with only some disjointedness.

(6) Unsatisfactory, disjointed transitions between sections. Some sections seem either irrelevant or poorly- developed.

(0) Missing important parts of a paper (introduction or conclusion). Large sections seem irrelevant.

Course Readings /10

(10) Provides at least TWO readings from the course syllabus. (Different Lippi-Green chapters count – be explicit which chapter you’re citing!)

-- (6) Provides ONE reading from the course syllabus.

(0) Provides NO course readings.

External Sources and Citations /10

(10) Provides at least FIVE external scholarly sources, with a consistent citation style (APA, MLA, etc.)

(8) Provides at least FIVE external scholarly sources, with an inconsistent or non- existent citation style.

(6) Provides at least THREE external scholarly sources.

(0) Provides NO external scholarly sources.

Style /10

(10) Double-spaced, Times New Roman 12pt font, 1 inch margins. Language use is appropriate, clear, and dynamic. Overall well- edited.

(8) Double-spaced, Times New Roman 12pt font, 1 inch margins. Language use is clear and appropriate. No egregious errors of spelling or grammar.

(6) Incorrect formatting. Language use is somewhat clear and appropriate. Some editing clearly needed.

(0) Language use mostly unclear, confusing, or inappropriate. Major editing errors.