Excellent Good Needs improvement Poor F %
Introduction (1-3 paragraphs) Clear and engaging introduction to your question. The introduction explains how and / or why you are interested in this question, as well as your initial thoughts around what you expected to find in your research and why (your hypothesis). Research question is clearly stated. The introduction mentions how and / or why you are interested in this question, as well as your initial thoughts around what you expected to find in your research (your hypothesis). Introduction mentions the question but does not include why you are interested in the question and / or is also missing a hypothesis about what you expected to find in your research. Research question is unclear or missing entirely. No introduction or plagiarism. 7.5%
Source quality A wide range of sources are used, each from a different genre. All sources are reputable, credible, current, and relevant to the paper topic. Sources are not redundant in the information they provide; each provide different context or approaches to the topic which widens or deepens the reader’s understanding. A good range of sources are used, each from a different genre. Sources are relevant to the paper topic but may be redundant in the information they provide to the reader.

 

 A limited range of sources are used, with some genres repeating. Some sources may be less credible. Together, the three sources do not provide much new information to the reader. Sources are not credible and / or irrelevant to the topic at hand.

 

 Sources are not credible and / or irrelevant to the topic at hand. 5%
Bibliographic entry All sources are properly cited in MLA format. Most sources are properly cited. No more than two errors. Most sources have errors in the citation. Citations follow no discernable bibliographic format or pattern; numerous errors. No entry 5%
Summary

(1 substantial paragraph)

 Comprehensive and concise summary of the most important points the author makes relating to your research question, quoting directly if possible. Includes what data, facts and evidence the author uses to support their claims, and how they use this evidence to arrive at their conclusions. Reader does not need to assume anything and can fully comprehend the source without going to it. Mostly captures the source’s main point and arguments relating to your research question, quoting directly if possible. The importance and relevance of some information may not be totally clear. Reader may need to go to the source itself to clarify some open questions. Summaries of the sources are present, but may be incomplete, inaccurate, or confusing. Main idea and / or key supporting details of the summary are missing. Summaries are minimal, providing no meaningful insight into the source’s content. Disorganized and poorly written. No summary or plagiarism. 25%
Rhetorical Analysis

(2-3 paragraphs)

 Clear and engaging analysis of the source, which demonstrates a deep understanding of the source’s genre, audience, purpose, etc. Includes direct quotes from the source as evidence for opinions and reactions to the source. Includes questions about the sources which suggest further areas of research. Demonstrates the author has carefully read and understood source content, quality, and relevance. Good understanding of the source’s genre, audience, purpose, etc. Demonstrates the author has read and understood source content, quality, and relevance. Some insightful engagement with the source is present. Basic understanding of the source’s genre, audience, purpose, etc. The author’s understanding of source content, quality, and relevance is unclear for at least one of the sources. Analysis is present but lacks depth or thoroughness. Analysis shows superficial or no reading, and limited understanding of the source’s genre, audience, purpose, etc. There is no explanation as to why these sources were selected and how they relate to the topic. No analysis or plagiarism. 25%
Quotables At least one direct quote for each source that really exemplifies the document’s claims or interpretations; or, at least one sentence that you really agree with (or really DIS-agree with) that you want to refer back to later. Quotes are properly placed in quotes and include the page number. Quotes are irrelevant to the topics and / or missing key elements (not put in quotations, missing page number). No quotables included. 15%
Conclusion

(at least 400 words)

 A clear and engaging summary of what you found in your research, how your understanding of the topic has changed, and why the topic is important. A thoughtful and well-reasoned argument for who you think needs to know about this topic. A clear summary of what you found in your research, how your understanding of the topic has changed, and why the topic is important. The audience for this information is identified. Your findings are only partially summarized. One two elements (how your understanding has changed, why the topic is important, the target audience for this information) are missing. The summary of your findings are unclear or confusing to understand. Multiple required elements are missing. No conclusion or plagiarism. 7.5%
Word count and number of sources At least 1900 words, with at least 400 words per source, not including quotables. Three complete sources. At least 1500 words and at least 300 words per source, not including quotables. Two sources. Less than 1500 words. Less than 300 words per source, not including quotables. One source. No sources. 5%
Clarity and style

 

Adapted from Professor Jay Aronson’s Essay and Research Paper Grading Rubric

 

 All sentences are grammatically correct and clearly written. No words are misused or unnecessarily fancy. Technical terms, words from other languages, and discipline-specific words are always explained. All information is accurate and up-to-date. Paper has been spell-checked AND proofread (ideally by you and somebody else), and contains no errors. Paper is properly formatted in MLA style. Most sentences are grammatically correct and clearly written. An occasional word is misused or unnecessarily fancy. Technical terms, words from other languages, and discipline-specific words are usually, but not always, explained. All information is accurate and up-to-date. Paper has been spell-checked AND proofread, and contains no more than a few minor errors, which do not adversely affect the reader’s ability to understand the paper. Most sentences are grammatically incorrect or not clearly written. Several words are misused. Technical terms, words from other languages, and discipline-specific words are rarely explained. Paper contains several spelling and grammatical errors. Reader’s ability to understand essay may be compromised by these errors. Paper is full of grammatical errors and unclear writing. Several words are misused. Technical terms, words from other languages, and discipline-specific words are rarely explained. Paper has not been spell-checked or proofread, and contains numerous errors. Reader has a difficult time understanding essay because of errors. Plagiarism. 5%