Unit 4 Rubric (Argumentative Research Paper)
An “A” Paper…
· Efficiently introduces the issue addressed in the paper and provides adequate background information for that issue.
· Includes an effective thesis statement that:
o identifies the “who, what, where, when, & why” of the issue addressed; and
o makes an arguable claim about an issue.
· Supports this thesis logically throughout the paper by:
o identifying credible research/opinions that support the thesis and introducing those sources correctly;
o acknowledging credible research/opinions that do not match the thesis and introducing those sources correctly; and
o demonstrating how/why the thesis withstands opposing viewpoints.
· Builds the writer’s ethos by:
o including evidence of credible, pertinent research;
o using language and tone appropriate for the general academic audience; and
o demonstrating the writer’s ability to express an informed opinion without using first-person pronouns (I, me, my, mine, etc.).
· Cites all outside sources in the paper’s body and on the Works Cited page in MLA format.
· Includes a relevant and interesting title.
· Follows formatting guidelines (Times New Roman, double-spaced, 12 point, one-inch margins).
· Shows evidence of careful proofreading (almost no errors in spelling, usage, grammar, mechanics, etc.).
A “B” Paper…
· Introduces the issue addressed in the paper and provides adequate background information for that issue.
· Includes a strong thesis statement that makes an arguable claim about an issue.
· Supports this thesis throughout the majority of the paper in the ways listed above.
· Builds the writer’s ethos by:
o including evidence of credible, pertinent research;
o generally using language and tone appropriate for the g.a.a.; and
o avoiding first-person pronouns.
· Correctly cites all outside sources in the paper’s body and on the WC page.
· Includes a relevant title.
· Follows formatting guidelines.
· Has few errors in spelling, usage, grammar, mechanics, etc.
A “C” Paper…
· Introduces the issue and provides some background information, though this information may be either too little or too much.
· Includes a thesis statement that states the paper’s central argument.
· Generally supports this thesis in the body of the paper by:
o identifying research/opinions that match the thesis;
o acknowledging research/opinions that do not match the thesis; and/or
o attempting to show why the thesis withstands opposing viewpoints.
· Attempts to build the writer’s ethos by:
o demonstrating evidence of some credible and/or pertinent research;
o attempting the tone and language of scholarly writing; and
o largely avoiding first-person pronouns.
· Correctly cites all outside sources in the paper’s body and on the WC page.
· Includes a relevant title.
· Follows formatting guidelines.
· Has some errors in spelling, usage, grammar, mechanics, etc.; at times, these mistakes may detract from meaning.
A “D” Paper…
· Has an overly broad introduction or one that provides insufficient or irrelevant background information.
· Has no thesis statement, a thesis that does not match the paper, or a thesis statement that does not make an arguable claim.
· Generally does not support the thesis in the paper’s body OR includes body paragraphs that support contradicting points of view OR includes body paragraphs that lack a sense of controlling voice.
· Seriously harms the writer’s ethos by:
o demonstrating poor research skills and/or use of non-credible sources;
o failing to write in the language or tone appropriate for scholarly papers; and/or
o including first- and/or second-person pronouns.
· Incorrectly cites outside sources, either in the paper’s body or on the WC page.
· Has no title or an irrelevant title.
· Does not follow one or more formatting guideline.
· Has significant errors in spelling, etc.; these errors are often distracting.
An “F” Paper…
· Fails to meet minimum requirements; and/or
· Plagiarizes.
