research paper

Assignment 4 Rubric: Final Research Paper Instructions: 1. Write a 1,400-1,500 word essay that directly addresses one of the three final essay topics that are presented in the last two weeks of the course. 2. Decide on your own argument and include a specific thesis statement that explains that argument. 3. You must use analytical and/or close reading skills as taught in this course to develop your argument with reference to evidence that you find through your research into this topic. 4. Your paper must include research from at least three scholarly sources, and these must be correctly cited in MLA parenthetical style.

Mark

Analytical Criteria Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent The paper directly addresses one of the three assigned final paper topics.

Throughout the essay, the tone is objective and logical, rather than subjective and impressionistic.

There is a respect for difference and complexity, with no oversimplified or essentializing summaries of entire cultures.

Evidence is drawn either from course readings or primary or secondary sources discovered through original research.

Structural Criteria Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent You correctly structure the opening paragraph (start narrow and get narrower; propose a specific argument; have a narrow, innovative, and original thesis statement).

You correctly structure the body of the essay (have a review of scholarly literature and at least two paragraphs of evidence proving your point).

You correctly structure the closing paragraph (start with a summary and then explain the implications of what you have proven).

Formal Criteria Poor Good Excellent You use standard edited English. Difficult to

understand Some

problems Clear

through-out

You remain within the word limit (1400-1500 words). More than 50

words over Within 50 words of the limit

Within the word limit

You use MLA format for all parenthetical citations and bibliographical entries.

Incomplete Mostly Yes