Research essay

EXCEPTIONAL

COMMENDABLE

ACCEPTABLE

UNACCEPTABLE

ORGANIZATION

Introduction

· Highly engaging

· Effectively establishes significance of claim

· Thoroughly forecasts paper’s contents.

· States precise and knowledgeable claim (thesis)

· Engaging

· Establishes significance of claim

· Adequately forecasts paper’s contents.

· States precise and knowledgeable claim (thesis)

· Formulaic

· Establishes significance of claim

· Forecasts paper’s contents.

· States precise claim (thesis)

· Fails to establish significance of claim (brevity, irrelevance, etc.)

· Claim is imprecise or missing (thesis)

Body Structure

· All body paragraphs develop a single argument with a controlling topic sentence

· Uses sophisticated words, phrases, and clauses, as well as varied syntax to effectively link sections of text

· All body paragraphs develop a single argument with a controlling topic sentences

· Uses words, phrases, and clauses to effectively link sections of text

· All body paragraphs develop a single argument with topic sentences

· Uses rudimentary words, phrases, and clauses to link sections of text

· Not all body paragraphs develop a single argument or contain an accurate topic sentence.

· Fails to use words, phrases, and/or clauses to link sections of text

Conclusion

· Revisits claim and arguments

· Convincingly persuasive

· Insightful

· Revisits claim and arguments

· Persuasive

· Insightful

· Revisits claim and arguments

· Persuasive

· Formulaic

· Does not revisit claim and/or arguments

· Not persuasive

· Merely summative

CONTENT

Body Evidence

· Supplies varied and insightful evidence that validates each argument

· Thoroughly supports claim and arguments through use of multiple sources per body paragraph

· Sufficient Evidence of MLA format and citations.

· Supplies relevant evidence that validates each argument

· Thoroughly supports claim and arguments through use of multiple sources per body paragraph

· Supplies relevant evidence that validates each argument

· Supports claim and arguments through use of more than one source per body paragraph

· Evidence may be weak or simplistic

· Not all arguments are supported by evidence

· Evidence is limited, irrelevant, or inaccurate.

· Paragraphs rely simply on one source or are missing a source entirely

Body Commentary

· Fairly and thoroughly develops claim, arguments, and counterclaims

· Points out strengths and limitations of arguments and counterclaims

· Fairly and thoroughly develops claim, arguments, and counterclaims

· Points out strengths and limitations of arguments and counterclaims

· Acknowledges audience’s knowledge levels and opinions

· Creates cohesion and clarifies relationship between ideas and evidence

· Demonstrates understanding of topic

· Develops claim, arguments, and counterclaims

· Points out strengths and limitations of arguments and counterclaims

· Acknowledges audience’s knowledge levels and opinions

· Clarifies relationship between ideas evidence

· Demonstrates limited understanding of topic due to incomplete or inaccurate analysis or over-reliance on direct quotes.

· Fails to develop claim, arguments, and/or counterclaims

· Fails to demonstrate awareness of audience and alternate viewpoints

· Evidence appears as unconnected chunks

· Excessive and unfounded commentary

· Excessive use of direct quotes

STYLE

· Displays complexity of prose.

· Formal and objective tone

· Word choice is refined, professional and appropriate

· Sentences are sophisticated and varied in length and structure.  They flow smoothly.

· Displays complexity of prose

· Formal and objective tone

· Word choice is varied, professional and appropriate

· Sentences are varied in length and structure.  They flow smoothly.

· Formal and objective tone

· Word choice is sufficient but often simplistic

· Sentences are somewhat varied in length and structure. 

· Informal and/or non-objective tone

· Vague, inaccurate, and/or unprofessional word choice.

· Sentences are too simplistic, awkward, and/or choppy.

MECHANICS

· Demonstrates command of the language.

· Errors rarely occur.

· Demonstrates clear understanding of the language.

· Errors seldom occur.

· Demonstrates understanding of the language.

· Errors occasionally occur.

· Fails to demonstrate understanding of the language.

· Errors frequently occur.