Excellent Good Needs Improvement Poor F

Author acknowledges some of

Author acknowledges that counter-
The author considers the evidence, or the most obvious counter-
evidence or alternative
alternate interpretations of evidence, evidence and alternative No acknowledgement of counter-
Counter- interpretations exists, and lists them
that could be used to refute or weaken explanations, but is not evidence or alternative
Evidence fully, but does not effectively explain
his/her argument, and thoughtfully comprehensive in this task. interpretations.
to reader why his/her argument still
responds to it. There is little or no attempt made
stands.
to respond to them.
Sources Evidence is used from many
sources, but author relies heavily on
Evidence is used from a wide range of
Note: You should a more limited set of sources. Some Uses only a few of the sources
sources, including lectures and course Does not use sources, only
always consult effort is made to go beyond material provided in class, or does not go
readings. When required, author also minimally uses sources provided by
the assignment presented in class when required, beyond what has been provided
consults scholarly books, websites, instructor, or relies exclusively on
description to find but not much. If outside sources are by professor when required to do
journal articles, etc. not explicitly non-scholarly outside sources.
out what kinds of used, they are primarily non- additional research.
discussed in class.
sources are scholarly (i.e., intended for a general
required. audience) and/or web-based.
Some pieces are unreferenced
All evidence is cited in footnotes or
or inaccurately referenced, and
All evidence is properly cited in endnotes, but there are some minor No attempt is made to cite
Citations there are problems with
footnotes or endnotes. problems with completeness or evidence.
completeness and format of
format of some citations.
citations.

Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence, Carnegie Mellon University 2