GRADING RUBRIC FOR A SCIENTIFIC PAPER
CATEGORY 10
Introduction/ *exceptional introduction
that grabs interest of reader
____ and states topic.
**paper is exceptionally
clear, arguable, well-
developed, and a definitive
statement.
Quality of *paper is exceptionally
researched, extremely
Information/ detailed, and historically
Evidence accurate.
____ **information clearly
relates to the paper.
Organization/ *exceptionally clear,
logical, mature, and
Development of thorough development of
Paper paper with excellent
____ transitions between and
within paragraphs.
Conclusion *excellent summary of
topic with concluding ideas
____ that impact reader.
**introduces no new
information.
Style/Voice *style and voice are not
only appropriate to the
____ given audience and
purpose, but also show
originality and creativity.
**word choice is specific,
purposeful, dynamic and
varied.
***sentences are clear,
active (subject-verb-
object), and to the point.
Grammar/Usage/ *control of grammar,
usage, and mechanics.
Mechanics **almost entirely free of
____ spelling, punctuation, and
grammatical errors.
8 6 4
*proficient introduction *basic introduction that *weak or no
that is interesting and states topic but lacks introduction of topic.
states topic. interest. **paper’s purpose is
**paper is clear and **paper is somewhat unclear/paper is weak
arguable statement of clear and arguable. or missing.
position.
*information relates to *information relates to *information has
the main topic. the main topic, few little or nothing to do
**paper is well- details and/or examples with the paper.
researched in detail and are given. **information has
from a variety of **shows a limited weak or no
sources. variety of sources. connection to the
paper.
*clear and logical order *somewhat clear and *lacks development
that supports paper with logical development of ideas with weak or
good transitions with basic transitions no transitions
between and within between and within between and within
paragraphs. paragraphs. paragraphs.
*good summary of *basic summary of topic *lack of summary of
topic with clear with some final topic.
concluding ideas. concluding ideas.
**introduces no new **introduces no new
information. information.
*style and voice *style and voice *style and voice
appropriate to the given somewhat appropriate to inappropriate or do
audience and purpose. given audience and not address given
**word choice is purpose. audience, purpose,
specific and purposeful, **word choice is often etc.
and somewhat varied unspecific, generic, **word choice is
throughout. redundant, and clichéd. excessively
***sentences are ***sentences are redundant, clichéd,
mostly clear, active somewhat unclear; and unspecific.
(SVO), and to the point. excessive use of passive ***sentences are very
voice. unclear.
*may contain few *contains several *so many spelling,
spelling, punctuation, spelling, punctuation, punctuation, and
and grammar errors. and grammar errors grammar errors that
which detract from the the paper cannot be
paper’s readability. understood.
Citation Format *conforms to APA *conforms to APA *frequent errors in APA *lack of APA
rules for formatting rules for formatting format. format/numerous
____ and citation of sources and citation of sources errors.
are perfect. with minor exceptions.

Works *entries entirely correct *entries mostly correct *frequent errors in APA *lack of APA
as to APA format. as to APA format. format. format/numerous
Cited/Bibliography errors.
____

Formatting *Font entirely correct: *Formatting mostly *Frequent errors in *not following
New times roman, font follow instructions, formatting formatting
size: 12, spacing: 1.5 instructions.
**detected copy paste
from web and not
even change the font.

Figure, Tables, *Figures, tables and *Some figures, tables * Figures, tables and *Figures, tables and
graphics are clear and and graphics are clear graphics are not clear graphics are not
Graphics strongly support the and strongly support the and not logically included at all.
text text identified. Some even
failed to support the text.

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