RESEARCH PAPER RUBRIC Name _______________________________________Date:
Exceeds Standard (A) Meets Standard (B)
Title page Title, Your Name, Instructor’s
Name, Course, Date, Neatly
/5 finished-no errors.
Thesis statement Clearly stated and appropriately
focused problem identification.
/10
Introduction The introduction is engaging,
states the main topic and previews
the structure of the paper.
/10
Body of Paper Each paragraph has thoughtful
supporting detail sentences that
/10 develop the main idea.
The conclusion is engaging and
Conclusion /10 restates the thesis.
Supporting Thorough and relevant. All cited
Research and works, both text and visual, are
Citations done in the correct format with no
errors. All sources are accurately
documented in consistent format
/10
Integration of The paper demonstrates that the
Knowledge writer fully understands and has
applied concepts learned in the
course by integrating own
insights. The writer provides
concluding remarks that show
/10 analysis and synthesis of ideas.
Focus & Content Sharp, distinct focus; balanced,
substantial, specific, and/or
illustrative content; sophisticated,
mature ideas are particularly well-
/10 developed.
Organization Obviously controlled and/or subtle
organization; strong topic
/5 sentences.
Structural Writer demonstrates logical
Development of sequencing of ideas through well-
the Main Ideas developed paragraphs. Writer’s
voice is strong; precision in tone,
sentence structure, and word
/10 choice.
Mechanics & No errors in punctuation,
Usage capitalization and spelling. Free of
mechanical and usage errors.
/5
References Done in the correct format with no
errors. Includes more than 5 major
references (e.g. science journal
articles, books, but no more than
/5 two internet sites.)
Nearly Meets Standard (C)
Evidence of 4
Clearly stated but focus
could have been sharper.
The introduction states the
main topic and previews the
structure of the paper.
Each paragraph has sufficient
supporting detail sentences
that develop the main idea.
The conclusion restates the
thesis.
Less thorough but still
substantial and relevant.
Some cited works, both text
and visual, are done in
consistent format. Some
inconsistencies evident.
The paper demonstrates that
the writer understands and
has applied concepts learned
in the course. Some of the
conclusions, however, are
not supported in the body of
the paper.
Clear focus; specific,
illustrative, and balanced
content.
Logical and appropriate
organization; clear topic
sentences.
Paragraph development
present but not perfected.
Precision and variety in
sentence structure and word
choice.
Almost no errors in
punctuation, capitalization
and spelling. Few mechanical
and usage errors
Done in the correct format
with few errors. Includes 5
major references (e.g. science
journal articles, books, but no
more than two internet sites).
Does Not Meet Standard (D)
Evidence of 3
Thesis phrasing too simple,
lacks complexity, or not clearly
worded.
The introduction states the main
topic but does not adequately
preview the structure of the
paper.
Each paragraph lacks
supporting detail sentences.
The conclusion does not
adequately restate the thesis.
Adequate; relevance made
clear. Few cited works, both
text and visual, are done in a
consistent format.
The paper demonstrates that the
writer, to a certain extent,
understands and has applied
concepts learned in the course.
Adequate focus, but unbalanced
content; more analysis needed.
The paper is about a specific
topic but the writer has not
established a position.
Organization attempted, but
unclear or inappropriate topic
sentences.
Logical organization;
organization of ideas not fully
developed. Limited, but mostly
correct, sentence structure
variety and word choice.
Many errors in punctuation,
capitalization and spelling.
Some mechanical and usage
errors, but do not interfere with
writer’s purpose
Done in the correct format with
some errors. Includes 4 major
references (e.g. science journal
articles, books, but no more
than two internet sites).
Mark:
No evidence(F)
Evidence of 2 or less
Thesis lacks a clear objective
and/or does not “fit” content of
essay.
There is no clear introduction
or main topic and the structure
of the paper is missing.
Each paragraph fails to develop
the main idea.
Incomplete and/or unfocused.
Insufficient; relevance not
always made clear. Several
sources lack proper
documentation
The paper does not demonstrate
that the writer has fully
understood and applied
concepts learned in the course.
The topic is too broad for the
scope of this assignment. Paper
contains too much research
information without analysis or
commentary.
Inconsistent organization.
No evidence of structure or
organization. Several awkward
and/or unclear sentences;
problems with word choice.
Numerous and distracting
errors in punctuation,
capitalization, spelling, and
usage errors that interfere with
writer’s purpose.
Done in the correct format with
many errors. Includes 3 major
references (e.g. science journal
articles, books, but no more
than two internet sites).
/100
Thesis not evident.
Absent, no evidence.
Not applicable.
Absent.
Irrelevant or missing
evidence, relying
assertion rather than
research. Sources are
not documented or
consistently formatted.
Absent, no evidence of
knowledge integration.
The topic is not clearly
defined. Absence of
focus and relevant
content; content doesn’t
“fit” thesis.
Absence of planned
organization.
No apparent control
over sentence structure
and word choice.
Mechanical and usage
errors that significantly
interfere with the
writer’s purpose
Absent or the only sites
are internet sites.