outline + 3 page draft xu

2020/11/30 Research Essay Grading Guide: Fal20 ENGL 001A #74618 READING AND COMPOSITION-Online

https://canvas.pasadena.edu/courses/1110549/pages/research-essay-grading-guide?module_item_id=12610510 1/3

Research Essay Grading Guide Please make sure to read the following checklist carefully-- and all the way through to the end. This will give you information about the grading criteria I'll be using.

Researched Argument Grading Guide

Expectations:

An effective introduction that opens with an engaging hook, establishes the basic context of the controversy and presents the issue as current, controversial, and worthy of a reader’s attention. Student's credibility is established in the introduction by showing that they/he/she is knowledgeable and fair-minded. Common ground is built with readers who may not be in initial agreement with the argument.

A clear, insightful, and argumentative thesis statement: advocates a position on a controversy relevant to the assignment; states an opinion with which a thoughtful reader could disagree; makes an assertion about how and/or why the writer holds that opinion; predicts supporting points without listing them explicitly; establishes a focus that is neither too broad nor too narrow for the scope of the assignment; responds directly to all parts of the prompt; consists of 1-2 clear, grammatically correct sentences at the end of the introduction.

Effective body paragraphs, each focusing on a distinct claim that supports the thesis with a:

Clear topic sentence that announces a claim that supports the thesis in the writer’s own words (no quotes for topic sentences!). Topic sentences should directly support the thesis. Topic sentence is supported with abundant, concrete evidence from your research (in the form of quotes, paraphrase, and summary, effectively introduced, integrated, and cited.) All evidence is explained with interpretation and analysis. Before moving on to the next paragraph, explain how the research you just shared with your reader supports the topic sentence and thesis. Don’t expect your reader to connect the dots for you, and don’t end body paragraphs with quotes.

An effective conclusion drives home the main point and answers the question “So What?” In other words, it leaves the reader with a deeper sense of the argument’s significance.

2020/11/30 Research Essay Grading Guide: Fal20 ENGL 001A #74618 READING AND COMPOSITION-Online

https://canvas.pasadena.edu/courses/1110549/pages/research-essay-grading-guide?module_item_id=12610510 2/3

Researched Argument Grading Guide The argument maintains a balanced perspective and an appropriate tone.

Opposing viewpoints are taken into consideration.

The student avoids unreasonable argumentative tactics (aka logical fallacies like hasty generalizations, false analogies, either…or fallacies, illegitimate emotional appeals, broad/over generalizations, etc.).

The student effectively uses direct quotes, paraphrases, and summary.

The student effectively uses signal phrases/lead-ins to indicate source.

The student uses proper punctuation around quotes.

Researched sources show variety and credibility.

The research supports -- but does not overshadow-- the student's ideas.

The research is connected to the student's own ideas through analytical discussion in body paragraphs.

Sentence-level errors do not distract the reader or distort meaning.

Library and database research requirements are met (If not 5 specified sources, essay cannot receive a passing grade)

MLA Format is used for in-text citations and Works Cited page (If not, essay cannot receive a passing grade)

All sources are cited properly to avoid plagiarism (either intentional or unintentional) (If not, essay cannot receive a passing grade)

Minimum length requirements met (6 full pages PLUS a Works Cited page). (If not, essay cannot receive a passing grade)

2020/11/30 Research Essay Grading Guide: Fal20 ENGL 001A #74618 READING AND COMPOSITION-Online

https://canvas.pasadena.edu/courses/1110549/pages/research-essay-grading-guide?module_item_id=12610510 3/3