Content and analysis: Thesis

12.5 points

strong, analytical thesis

10 points

thesis clear, but more descriptive than analytical

7.5 points

thesis only descriptive

5 points

thesis unclear

2.5 points

no thesis

Content and Analysis: Interpretation

12.5 points

original interpretation of material

10 points

interpretation not original but clearly expressed

7.5 points

interpretation relies heavily on other works

5 points

no interpretation, just description

2.5 points

lack of interpretation and description

Content and Analysis: Understanding the Model

12.5 points

demonstrates understanding of the model

10 points

mostly demonstrates understanding of the model

7.5 points

demonstrates some understanding of the model

5 points

errors in applying the model

2.5 points

lack of understanding of model

Content and Analysis: Use of Sources

12.5 points

consistent and effective use of three or more primary sources and eight or more secondary sources

10 points

consistent and effective use of two primary sources and seven secondary sources

7.5 points

incorporation of one primary source and six secondary sources

5 points

incorporation of one primary source and five secondary sources

2.5 points

incorporation of no primary sources and four or fewer secondary sources

Structure and organization

15 points

organization contributes to effectiveness of argument

12 points

organization is mostly logical, but could use improvement

9 points

organization is confusing; it is difficult to follow the analysis and narrative

6 points

organization is poor; analysis and narrative are garbled

3 points

organization is nonexistent; analysis and narrative do not make any sense

Writing style: Sentence Construction

3.75 points

sentences are well-constructed

3 points

sentences are mostly well-constructed

2.25 points

sentences are often unclear

1.75 points

sentences are often unintelligible

0.75 points

writing unacceptably substandard

Writing Style: Word Choice

3.75 points

excellent word choice

3 points

generally appropriate word choice

2.25 points

word choice is often poor

1.5 points

word choice has obvious errors

0.75 points

word choice has severe errors

Writing Style: Use of Sources

3.75 points

sources are used correctly and integrated into the paper

3 points

sources are mostly used correctly and integrated into the paper

2.25 points

sources are mostly used correctly, but are not integrated effectively into the paper

1.5 points

incorrect use of sources; lack of integration of sources

0.75 points

sources used poorly or not at all

Writing Style: Transitions

3.75 points

transitions are clear and easy to follow

3 points

transitions are mostly clear and easy to follow

2.25 points

transitions abrupt

1.5 points

lack of transitions

0.75 points

no transitions

Spelling, grammar, and punctuation

10 points

paper has 0–1 spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation errors

8 points

paper has 2–3 spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation errors

6 points

paper has 4–5 spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation errors

4 points

paper has 6–7 spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation errors

2 points

paper has eight or more spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation errors

Documentation

10 points

paper has no more than one error in citation (formatting or use)

8 points

paper has 2–3 errors in citation

6 points

paper has 4–5 errors in citation

4 points

paper has 6–7 errors in citation

2 points

paper has eight or more errors in citation