Criteria |
Exemplary |
Good |
Acceptable |
Unacceptable |
Purpose |
The writer’s central
purpose or argument is readily apparent to the reader. |
The writing has a clear purpose
or argument, but may sometimes digress from it. |
The central purpose or argument
is not consistently clear throughout the paper. |
The purpose or argument is
generally unclear. |
Content |
Balanced presentation of relevant
and legitimate information that clearly supports a central purpose or argument and shows a thoughtful, in-depth analysis of
a significant topic. Reader gains important insights. |
Information provides reasonable
support for a central purpose or argument and displays evidence of a basic analysis of a significant topic. Reader gains some
insights. |
Information supports a central
purpose or argument at times. Analysis is basic or general. Reader gains few insights. |
Central purpose or argument
is not clearly identified. Analysis is vague or not evident. Reader is confused or may be misinformed. |
Organization |
The ideas are arranged logically
to support the purpose or argument. They flow smoothly from one to another and are clearly linked to each other. The reader can follow the line of reasoning. |
The ideas are arranged logically
to support the central purpose or argument. They are usually clearly linked to
each other. For the most part, the reader can follow the line of reasoning. |
In general, the writing is
arranged logically, although occasionally ideas fail to make sense together. The reader is fairly clear about what writer
intends. |
The writing is not logically
organized. Frequently, ideas fail to make sense together. The reader cannot identify a line of reasoning and loses interest. |
Feel |
The writing is compelling. It hooks the read and sustains interest throughout. |
The writing is generally engaging,
but has some dry spots. In general, it is focused and keeps the reader’s
attention. |
The writing is dull and unengaging. Though the paper has some interesting parts, the reader finds it difficult to maintain
interest. |
The writing has little personality. The reader quickly loses interest and stops reading. |
Tone |
The tone is consistently professional
and appropriate for an academic research paper. |
The tone is generally professional. For the most part, it is appropriate for an academic research paper. |
The tone is not consistently
professional or appropriate for an academic research paper. |
The tone is unprofessional. It is not appropriate for an academic research paper. |
Sentence Structure |
Sentences are well-phrased
and varied in length and structure. They flow smoothly from one to another. |
Sentences are well-phrased
and there is some variety in length and structure. The flow from sentence to
sentence is generally smooth. |
Some sentences are awkwardly
constructed so that the reader is occasionally distracted. |
Errors in sentence structure
are frequent enough to be a major distraction to the reader. |
Word Choice |
Word choice is consistently
precise and accurate. |
Word choice is generally good. The writer often goes beyond the generic word to find one more precise and effective. |
Word choice is merely adequate,
and the range of words is limited. Some words are used inappropriately. |
Many words are used inappropriately,
confusing the reader. |
Grammar, Spelling, Writing
Mechanics (punctuation, italics, capitalization, etc.) |
The writing is free or almost
free of errors. |
There are occasional errors,
but they don’t represent a major distraction or obscure meaning. |
The writing has many errors,
and the reader is distracted by them. |
There are so many errors that
meaning is obscured. The reader is confused and stops reading. |
Length |
Paper is the number of pages
specified in the assignment. |
|
|
Paper has more or fewer pages
than specified in the assignment. |
Use of References |
Compelling evidence from professionally
legitimate sources is given to support claims. Attribution is clear and fairly
represented. |
Professionally legitimate
sources that support claims are generally present and attribution is, for the most part, clear and fairly represented. |
Although attributions are
occasionally given, many statements seem unsubstantiated. The reader is confused
about the source of information and ideas. |
References are seldom cited
to support statements. |
Quality of References |
References are primarily peer-reviewed
professional journals or other approved sources (e.g., government documents, etc.).
The reader is confident that the information and ideas can be trusted. |
Although most of the references
are professionally legitimate, a few are questionable (e.g., trade books, internet sources, popular magazines, …). The reader is uncertain of the reliability of some of the sources. |
Most of the references are
from sources that are not peer-reviewed and have uncertain reliability. The reader
doubts the accuracy of much of the material presented. |
There are virtually no sources
that are professionally reliable. The reader seriously doubts the value of the
material and stops reading. |
Use of Most Recent Edition
of the MLA Style Manual |
MLA format is used accurately
and consistently in the paper and on the “Works Cited” page. |
MLA format is used with minor
errors. |
There are frequent errors
in MLA format. |
Format of the document is
not recognizable as MLA. |