ANTH250

Fails Completely

Unsatisfactory

Needs Improvement

Competent

Exemplary

Thesis

No identifiable thesis or thesis shows lack of effort or   comprehension of assignment.

Difficult to identify, inconsistently maintained, or   provides little around which to structure paper.

Unclear, buried, poorly articulated, lacking in insight   and originality.

Promising, but may be unclear or lacking insight or   originality.

Easily identifiable, interesting, plausible, novel,   sophisticated, insightful, clear.

Structure and style

No evident structure or organization. No transitions   between major points.

Unclear, unfocused, disorganized, lacking in unity,   transitions abrupt or confusing, context unclear.

Generally unclear, unfocused, often wanders or jumps   around. Few or weak transitions. Does not provide sufficient information,   explanation, and context for readers.

Generally clear and appropriate, though may wander   occasionally. May have some unclear transitions or lack of coherence. Does   not fully appreciate reader’s need for information, explanation, and context.

Evident, understandable, appropriate for thesis. Essay is   focused and unified. Words chosen effectively. Excellent transitions between   points. Anticipates reader’s need for information, explanation, and context.

Use of sources (when applicable)

No attempt made to incorporate information from primary   and secondary sources.

Very little information from sources. Poor handling of   sources.

Moderate amount of source information incorporated. Some   key points supported by sources. Quotations may be poorly integrated into   paragraphs. Some possible problems with source citations.

Draws upon sources to support most points. Some evidence   may not support thesis or may appear where inappropriate. Quotations   integrated well into paragraphs. Sources cited correctly.

Draws upon primary and secondary source information in   useful and illuminating ways to support key points. Excellent integration of   quoted material into paragraphs. Sources cited correctly.

Logic and argumentation

No effort made to construct a logical argument. Failure to   support thesis.

Little attempt to offer support for key claims or to   relate evidence to thesis. Reasons offered may be irrelevant. Little to no   effort to address alternative views.

Arguments of poor quality. Weak, undeveloped reasons   offered in support of key claims. Counter-arguments mentioned without   rebuttal.

Argument is clear and usually flows logically and makes   sense. Some counter-arguments acknowledged, though perhaps not addressed   fully.

Arguments are identifiable, reasonable, and sound. Clear   reasons are offered in support of key claims. Author anticipates and   successfully grapples with counter-arguments.

Mechanics

Difficult to understand because of significant problems   with sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Several problems with sentence structure, grammar,   punctuation, and spelling.

Some problems with sentence structure, grammar,   punctuation, and spelling.

Sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and spelling   strong despite occasional lapses.

Correct sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and   spelling.