Biology 101 Research Paper

TOTAL SCORE_____ /18

Level Explanation of modified food: Opinion of the creation and

The genes used and why labeling of GM foods Quality of writing Structure and Format

40% 40% 10% 10%

5-Excellent Explanation of how a specific crop has been

genetically modified is accurate, clear, and

comprehensive. Discussion of the general

modification process is excellent.

Opinion about the creation and labeling of

genetically modified food is clearly stated and

well-supported by logic and/or data.

Writing style is clear, concise and flows

well. At most one error in spelling,

grammar and/or language usage.

Followed assignment

instructions exactly (e.g. no

quotes). Perfect formatting

(word count, font, margins,

references).

4 - Good Explanation of how a specific crop has been

genetically modified is accurate, clear, and

complete. Discussion of the general

modification process is well done.

Opinion about the creation and labeling of

genetically modified food is clearly stated and

adequately-supported by logic and/or data.

Writing style is clear and concise. Two

to five errors in spelling, grammar

and/or language usage.

One minor error (e.g. margins

incorrect) in structure or format.

3-Adequate Discussion of how a specific crop has been

genetically modified and the general

modification process is essentially complete, but

contains minor errors or some lack of clarity.

Opinions about the creation and labeling of

genetically modified food is essentially

complete and supported, but there are some

minor errors or lack of clarity.

Writing style occasionally lacks clarity.

No more than five errors in spelling,

grammar and/or language usage.

Two to three minor errors (e.g.

margins incorrect and wrong

font) in structure or format.

2 - Poor Discussion of how a specific crop has been

genetically modified and the general

modification process is incomplete (some

important components are left out), contains

multiple minor errors, or is poorly explained.

Opinions about the creation and labeling of

genetically modified food is incomplete, or not

well-supported, or is poorly explained.

Writing style occasionally lacks clarity.

More than five errors in spelling,

grammar and/or language usage.

Four or more minor errors, or

one major error (i.e. used

quotations) in structure or

format.

1-Deficient Discussion of how a specific crop has been

genetically modified and the general

modification process contains major errors.

Opinions about the creation and labeling of

genetically modified food is either unsupported

by logic or data, or too briefly developed.

Writing is difficult to understand, and/or

errors in spelling, grammar, and

language usage interfere with the ability

to read and understand the paper.

More than one major error (i.e.

used quotations and did not

include introduction) in structure

or format.

0-Missing or

Unintelligible

Discussion of how a specific crop has been

genetically modified and the general

modification process is missing or is

unintelligible.

Opinions about the labeling genetically modified

food is missing or unintelligible.

Misspelling, incorrect grammar, and/or

misuse of language make it difficult or

impossible to evaluate the paper.

Formatting and/or structural

errors are so serious as to

suggest that the assignment

instructions were not read.

*** Please note: failing to include in text citations is more than a "major" error in structure and format. Not including these will result in a score of "0" for

BOTH the writing quality and the structure and format sections of the rubric. Papers without reference pages will not be scored.