History Research Paper

essay_scoring_rubric.doc

Thesis Statement (50% of the score)

Excellent / Original Thesis which fully addresses the topic 6 points

Strong Thesis which offers an answer to the questions of the topic 5 points

Good thesis which provides a framework to answer the question 4 points

(this is the “working thesis” discussed in class)

Effort at a thesis which may be faulty or incomplete 3 points

Weak thesis which may only generally address the question 2 points

No thesis at all – student merely writes on the topic 1 point

Content (50% of the score)

Command of information in support of thesis 6 points

Depth and Breadth of relevant information in support of thesis 5 points

Solid use of relevant information in support of thesis 4 points

Good use of information, but lacks real depth and/or breadth 3 points

Some relevant information – may be superficial (no depth) 2 points

A few relevant facts – major omission of information 1 point

Little or no relevant facts – could also be error ridden 0 points

Negative Components (take points off score – out of 12 pts possible)

Major factual errors -1 (each)

Project lacks paragraphs or has serious structural issues -1 (each)

Grammar, citation or Spelling Errors -1 (each)

12 points = 100%

11 points = 95%

10 points = 91%

9 points = 85%

8 points = 81%

7 points = 78%

6 points = 75%

5 points = 71%

4 points = 68%

3 points = 64%

2 points = 50%

1 point = 25%

Suggestions and Reminders

1) No 1st or 2nd person

2) No contractions – watch the use of possessive

3) Watch words spelled correctly, but used incorrectly (i.e. “there or their”)