Sample Rubric for Grading a Research Paper
[Download Microsoft Word Document]
| Outstanding | Good | Fair | Acceptable | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Presentation | Cover page with relevant info, including descriptive title. Section headings. Good graphics, with appropriate citations. Clean and professional looking. |
Cover page. Section headings. Graphics included. Professional looking. |
Most relevant information present. Some section headings, captions, or graphics used. Looks like H.S. paper. |
Dirty or ragged appearance. Missing titles, captions, headings, name of author. Not professional. |
| Abstract | Abstract is proper length. Highly informative, complete and easy to understand. Appropriate vocabulary is used. Abstract makes you want to read the paper. |
Abstract is proper length. Informative, complete and understandable. Appropriate vocabulary is used. |
Abstract is proper length. Somewhat informative and understandable. |
Abstract is not the proper length. Not very informative or understandable. |
| Structure | Thesis is clear, easy to find, and appropriate to the assignment. Thesis is supported by the rest of the paper. Paper contains a “roadmap” for the reader. There is a logical flow to the topics/arguments. Conclusion follows clearly from the arguments presented. |
Thesis is clear and appropriate. Thesis fairly well supported. Paper is fairly well organized. Conclusion follows from the rest of the paper. |
Thesis is fairly clear. Inconsistent support for thesis. Paper weakly organized. Conclusion is acceptable. |
Thesis unclear and/or inappropriate. Thesis not supported. Paper is not organized. Conclusion doesn’t follow from the rest of the paper. |
| Research | The evidence comes from a wide variety of valid sources. The bibliography is complete and reflects the appropriate sources. The evidence used reflects multiple views. |
The evidence comes from many valid sources. The bibliography is complete. The evidence used reflects multiple views. |
Valid sources are inconsistently used. The bibliography is missing some pieces. |
The evidence seldom comes from valid sources. The bibliography is missing significant information. |
| Thinking | Arguments are pertinent to the topic. Arguments are logical, and supported with evidence. The key arguments have been made – no major points have been left out. |
Arguments are pertinent to the topic. Arguments are fairly logical and reasonably supported. Most key arguments have been made. |
Arguments are not consistently pertinent, logical or supported. Few key arguments have been made. |
Arguments not pertinent. Arguments rarely, if at all, logical and supported. Almost no key arguments have been made. |
| Interest Factor | Language and style appropriate for intended audience. Paper presents well-developed analysis and synthesis. There is nuance, inference and subtlety to the paper. Main points are memorable. Readers is very engaged. |
Language and style of paper appropriate. Paper presents reasonable analysis and synthesis. There is a little nuance, inference and subtlety. Main points clear. Reader is engaged. |
Language and style only fair. Less-developed analysis and synthesis. Nuance, inference and subtlety lacking. Main points present, not well made. |
Language and style poor. Analysis and synthesis lacking. Main points not discernible. |