Assignment 11: Final Research Paper

Writing Content Rubric

This rubric emphasizes “the importance of writing as a way of thinking, and therefore recognizes [criteria] that

deepens thinking about course content rather than the writing process” (www.tcnj.edu).

1. Content: clear, original, follows assignment; manageable topic; conceptual precision with topic; ability to recognize multiple perspectives; shows knowledge of research topic; fully developed ideas; transitions provide

coherence. – 15%

Well developed

15‐13 Essentially developed

12‐10 Partially developed

9‐7 Marginally developed

6‐4 Unacceptable

3‐0

2. Discipline Specific Writing: creates effective and engaging writing for a specific audience and purpose; uses

vocabulary/language, style, etc. particular to the discipline;  uses objective tone; uses active third-person

academic voice. – 15%

Highly Competent

15‐13 Competent

12‐10 Partially competent

9‐7 Marginally competent

6‐4 Unacceptable

3‐0

3. Quality of Thought / Reasoning: substantial, logical and concrete development of ideas; assumptions are made explicit; details are germane, original, and convincingly interpreted. – 15%

Well developed

15‐13 Essentially developed

12‐10 Partially developed

9‐7 Marginally developed

6‐4 Unacceptable

3‐0

4. Structure: well-organized, well-developed; includes a thesis/claim/assertion (t/c/a) in the introduction; clear

topic sentences; key points support t/c/a; consistent evidence supports t/c/a; logical connections between/among

ideas. – 15%

Well developed

15‐13 Essentially developed

12‐10 Partially developed

9‐7 Marginally developed

6‐4 Unacceptable

3‐0

5. Research and Documentation: synthesizes in-depth information from relevant sources representing various

points of view/approaches; APA format and style of citation used appropriately throughout the paper; adequate

number of sources referenced. – 15%

Highly Competent

15‐13 Competent

12‐10 Partially competent

9‐7 Marginally competent

6‐4 Unacceptable

3‐0

6. Mechanics: word choice, sentence structure, spelling, and punctuation; evidence of proofreading for sentence

errors. – 15%

Highly Competent

15‐13 Competent

12‐10 Partially competent

9‐7 Marginally competent

6‐4 Unacceptable

3‐0

OVERALL SCORE: WRITING – 5%

Well developed 5

Essentially developed 4

Partially developed 3

Marginally developed 2

Unacceptable 1

OVERALL SCORE: CRITICAL THINKING – 5%

Highly Competent 5

Competent 4

Partially competent 3

Marginally competent 2

Unacceptable 1

When reading the rubric, you may notice the numbering used to identify well developed, essentially developed, partially developed, marginally developed, and unacceptable. Bear in mind the numbers are based on percentages. For example 15 is well developed and 15% of your overall points that may be earned for this assignment.