Home Page Home Page

CRITERIA FOR GRADING
THE RESEARCH PAPER

A. THESIS
  1. You did not provide a thesis.
  2. You assumed a thesis but did not state it. Or you stated a thesis, but the thesis was vague or too broad.
  3. You provided an adequate thesis.
  4. You provided an outstanding thesis that cogently sets up your analysis.

B. DEVELOPMENT
  1. You had neither topic sentences nor logical development.
  2. Weak topic sentences. Weak development.
  3. You had both topic sentences and logical development. These provide a competent but uninspired framework for your description.
  4. You had excellent topic sentences and logical development.

C. DETAIL (EVIDENCE FROM PRIMARY SOURCES)
  1.   Unsatisfactory use of primary sources.
  2.   Weak use of primary sources.
  3. You provide generally provide details and quotations in the proper places and provide a general picture of what you are analyzing.
  4. Your use of details and quotations clearly, effectively, and aptly supports your argument.

D. USING RESEARCH MATERIALS (SECONDARY SOURCES)
  1.   Unsatisfactory use of secondary sources.
  2. You used research materials in a manner that demonstrated a lack of mastery of them. Examples of this are quotations that do not support the argument you are tying to make and strings of quotations that run on too long.
  3. You use materials in a competent but uninspired way to support your argument.
  4. You smoothly integrate the research materials you use into your argument.

E. WRITING THE ESSAY
  1. Your essay lacks coherence and cohesion. Transitions are ineffective. The paragraphs read like a list, with no connection between the sentences.
  2. The paragraphs have a general focus, but some sentences are unrelated. Coherence, cohesion, and transitions need work.
  3. Paragraphs are generally well developed with fewer than three problems of focus, unity, or coherence. Transitions may be a bit forced.
  4. Paragraphs are focused, unified, and coherent. Transitions are logical and effective.

F. GRAMMAR
  1. You exceeded the maximum allowable number of serious grammatical mistakes (10), automatically dropping your grade to an "F."
  2. You had 7-9 grammatical errors.
  3. You had 4-6 errors.
  4. You had 1-3 errors.
Home Page
Home Page