What Employers Are Looking for in Entry-Level Professionals

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Writing Intensive Course Research Paper Rubric

Student Name: _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Course Code/Name: ______________________________Instructor: ___________________________________________________

Performance Rating Scale: Points Performance Descriptions

4 Exceptional Work meets or exceeds criterion at a high level of competence. 3 Proficient Work reflects an understanding of criterion with minor misunderstandings/misconceptions. 2 Basic Criterion partially met, but one or more important concepts/skills are missing or flawed. 1 Unsatisfactory Work reflects an attempt to meet criterion, but significant misunderstandings/misconceptions are apparent. 0 Absent Criterion not met or work is absent

Final Paper/Project Grading Criteria Ratings NAU adheres to a strict plagiarism policy which is outlined in the Student Handbook and the undergraduate catalog. Plagiarized papers will receive a failing grade; additional sanctions may be enforced.

4 points Exceptional

A 3 points

Proficient

B 2 points

Basic

C 1 point

Unsatisfactory

D 0 points Absent

F

Category I. Research Segment (60 possible points / 60% of Total Score) 1. The research topic fits course and has been approved by the instructor.

2. The writer remains focused on the purpose of the paper.

3. The writer keeps the scope of the paper narrow enough to handle subject matter effectively. 4. The writing is coherent, meaning “logically consistent”.

5. The writing is well-organized.

6. Paragraphing is appropriate with central points being made in each paragraph. This means that each paragraph includes a clear topic sentence. 7. Transitions are used to make smooth connections between ideas.

8. Research is drawn from the literature (i.e., peer-reviewed articles) and an in-depth analysis of at least six (6) research articles with no more than one non-juried/non-refereed Internet site being used. 9. Body should be approximately 8-9 pages and integrates research.

10. The evidence is accurate and contains a balance of both generalities and specifics (e.g., explanations, anecdotes, statistics, etc.). In an argument the evidence to support each position is reasonable. 11. The writer supports generalizations effectively, using vivid details and vivid examples. 12. The writer has chosen a topic in which each issue presented allows for differences of opinion. This difference is clearly stated. 13. The Conclusion contains a summary of the findings and possible recommendations for future research. 14. The writer has effectively used quotation, summary, and paraphrasing skills in providing information

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15. Overall the paper/project reflects college level writing skills. CATEGORY I – TOTAL POINTS __________________ (60 possible)

Category II. Critical Thinking (20 possible points / 20% of Total Score) 16. The writer identifies and presents clear issues. 17. The writer relies on objective data to support his /her final assertion or claim. 18. The writer uses sound reasoning to support his/her final assertion or claim. 19. The writer provides enough information for the audience to understand each argument in order to make thoughtful, critical decisions about the writer’s assertions or claims.

20. The author refrains from non-arguments or claims without supporting evidence. CATEGORY II – TOTAL POINTS __________________ (20 possible)

Category III. Grammar and Mechanics (20 possible points / 20% of Total Score) 21. Writing adheres to APA style and form (includes Title Page, page numbers, margins, etc).

22. The paper is free from grammatical errors (e.g., dangling modifiers, subject-verb disagreement, verb tense shift, person shift, pronoun-antecedent disagreement, run-on sentences, comma splices, and diction errors).

23. The paper includes the following: ° a complete, one paragraph Abstract of approximately 150 words ° a main idea/thesis statement which expresses the over-arching point of

the research paper ° an attention-getter to capture the reader’s interest ° a brief Introduction that serves to establish the context of the topic in

broad terms, states research questions (if applicable), and concludes with a clear “focusing statement” and an orientation to the main supporting sections of the paper (approximately 1 page).

24. The Body of the paper contains cited scholarly information. 25. The paper includes the following:

° a Conclusion that restates the thesis and summarizes the main findings from the review of the literature. (approximately ½ to 2 pages)

° a separate Reference Page that has cited all research sources correctly according to APA style.

CATEGORY III – TOTAL POINTS __________________ (20 possible)

Total points from Categories I, II, and III

26.Bonus! oral/visual presentation). (worth 5 extra percentage points in total score)

The writer uses creative presentation methods (e.g., table, figure, Bonus Percentage Points

FINAL GRADE (Note: a plagiarized paper receives 0 points)