Points: 120

Research Proposal – Thesis, Major Points, and Plan

Criteria

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Unacceptable

Below 60% F

Meets Minimum Expectations

60-69% D

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Fair

70-79% C

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Proficient

80-89% B

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Exemplary

90-100% A

1. Identify the topic you selected and explain two (2) reasons for using the genre.

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Weight: 5%

Did not submit or incompletely identified the topic you selected and did not submit or incompletely explained two (2) reasons for using the genre.

Insufficiently identified the topic you selected and insufficiently explained two (2) reasons for using the genre.

Partially identified the topic you selected and partially explained two (2) reasons for using the genre.

Satisfactorily identified the topic you selected and satisfactorily explained two (2) reasons for using the genre.

Thoroughly identified the topic you selected and thoroughly explained two (2) reasons for using the genre.

2. Include a defensible, relevant thesis statement in the first paragraph.

Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely included a defensible, relevant thesis statement in the first paragraph.

Insufficiently included a defensible, relevant thesis statement   Â

in the first paragraph.

Partially included a defensible, relevant thesis statement in the first paragraph.

Satisfactorily included a defensible, relevant thesis statement in the first paragraph.

Thoroughly included a defensible, relevant thesis statement in the first paragraph.

3. Describe three (3) major characteristics of your audience (official position, decision-making power, current view on topic, other important characteristic).

Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely described three (3) major characteristics of your audience.

Insufficiently described three (3) major characteristics of your audience.

Partially described three (3) major characteristics of your audience.

Satisfactorily described three (3) major characteristics of your audience.

Thoroughly described three (3) major characteristics of your audience.

4. Describe the paper’s scope and outline the major sections.

Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely described the paper’s scope and did not submit or incompletely outlined the major sections.

Insufficiently described the paper’s scope and insufficiently outlined the major sections.

Partially described the paper’s scope and insufficiently outlined the major sections.

Satisfactorily described the paper’s scope and satisfactorily outlined the major sections.

Thoroughly described the paper’s scope and thoroughly outlined the major sections.

5. Identify and explain the questions to be answered.

Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely identified and explained the questions to be answered.

Insufficiently identified and explained the questions to be answered.

Partially identified and explained the questions to be answered.

Satisfactorily identified and explained the questions to be answered.

Thoroughly identified and explained the questions to be answered.

6. Explain your research plan, including the methods of researching and organizing research.Â

Weight: 10%

Did not submit or incompletely explained your research plan; did not submit or incompletely included the methods of researching and organizing research.Â

Insufficiently explained your research plan; insufficiently included the methods of researching and organizing research.Â

Partially explained your research plan; partially included the methods of researching and organizing research.Â

Satisfactorily explained your research plan; satisfactorily included the methods of researching and organizing research.Â

Thoroughly explained your research plan; thoroughly included the methods of researching and organizing research.Â

7. Document at least three (3) primary sources and three (3) secondary sources,Â

Weight: 20%

No references provided

Does not meet the required number of references; all references poor quality choices.

Does not meet the required number of references; some references poor quality choices.

Meets number of required references; most references high quality choices.

Meets number of required references; all references high quality choices.

8. Clarity, writing mechanics, and formatting requirements

Weight: 25%

More than 8 errors present

7-8 errors present

5-6 errors present

3-4 errors present

0-2 errors present