Koep
Category
Introducti
on/ Thesis
Research Paper Rubric
English
5
4
3
2
*exceptional
introduction that grabs
interest of reader and
states topic.
**thesis is exceptionally
clear, arguable, welldeveloped and
definitive statement
*proficient
introduction that is
interesting and
states topic
**thesis is clear and
arguable statement
of position
*acceptable
introduction
that states
topics but lack
interest
**Thesis is
somewhat
arguable
*basic
introduction
that states topic
**Thesis
statement is
unclear
*weak or no
introduction
of topic
**Thesis
statement is
missing
Quality of
Information
/Evidence
*Paper is exceptionally
researched, extremely
detailed and historically
accurate
**information clearly
relates to the thesis
***Sources are credible
*information relates
to the main topic
**paper is wellresearched in detail
***Sources are
credible
*information
relates to the
topic, there
are few details
and/or
examples
**Most of the
sources are
credible
*information
mostly relates
to the topic,
there are very
few details and
examples
**less than half
of the sources
are credible
*information
has little or
nothing to do
with thesis
**Sources
are not
credible
Support of
Thesis/
Analysis
*exceptionally critical,
relevant and consistent
connections made
between evidence and
thesis
**excellent analysis
***writer has a tone of
authority- thoroughly
knows topic and
confidently discusses in
persuasive manner
**** Quotes are
relevant, introduced,
and explained
*Consistent
connections made
between evidence
and thesis
**good analysis
***Writer has a tone
of authority
**** Quotes are
relevant, introduced,
and explained
*Some
connections
made
between
evidence and
thesis
**some
analysis
***Writer does
not have a
tone of
authority
****Quotes are
not relevant/
introduced/
explained
*limited
connections
made between
evidence and
thesis
**limited
analysis
***Writer does
not have a tone
of authority
****Quotes are
not relevant/
introduced/
explained
*no
connections
made
between
evidence and
thesis
**no analysis
***Writer
does not
have a tone
of authority
****Quotes
are not
relevant/
introduced/
explained
Organizati
on
*exceptionally clear,
logical, mature, and
thorough development
of thesis with excellent
transitions between and
within paragraphs
**Paper meets the
required 2-3 pages
*clear and logical
order that supports
thesis with good
transitions between
and within
paragraphs
**Paper meets the
required 2-3 pages
*somewhat
clear and
logical
development
with basic
transitions
between and
within
paragraphs
**Paper is 1-2
pages
*somewhat
unclear or
illogical
development
with few
transitions
between and
within
paragraphs
**Paper is 1-2
pages
*unclear or
illogical
development
with no
transitions
between and
within
paragraphs
**Paper is
less than 1
page
Conclusion
*excellent summary of
topic with concluding
ideas that impact
reader
**introduces no new
information
***restates thesis
*good summary of
topic with clear
concluding ideas
**introduces no new
information
***restates thesis
*basic
summary of
topic with
some final
concluding
ideas
**introduces
no new
information
***restates
thesis
*basic
summary of
topic with no
concluding
ideas
**introduces
new information
***does not
restate the
thesis
*weak
summary of
topic with no
concluding
ideas
**introduces
new
information
***does not
restate the
thesis
Style/Voice
*style and voice are not
only appropriate to the
given audience and
purpose, but also show
originality and creativity
*style and voice are
appropriate to the
given audience and
purpose
**word choice is
*style and
voice are
somewhat
appropriate to
given
*style and voice
are somewhat
appropriate to
given audience
and purpose
*style and
voice is
inappropriate
or do not
address
*This one
counts double
(10 points
total)
1
Koep
Research Paper Rubric
English
**word choice is
specific, purposeful,
dynamic, and varied
***sentences are clear,
active and to the point
specific and
purposeful, and
somewhat varied
throughout
***sentences are
mostly clear, active,
and to the point
audience and
purpose
**word choice
is often
unspecific,
generic,
redundant,
and clichéd
***sentences
are somewhat
unclear;
excessive use
of passive
voice
**word choice
is very
unspecific,
generic,
redundant, and
clichéd
***sentences
are very
unclear;
excessive use
of passive
voice
given
audience,
purpose, etc.
**word
choice is
excessively
redundant,
clichéd and
unspecific
***sentences
are very
unclear
Grammar/U
sage/
Mechanics
*control of grammar,
usage, and mechanics
**less than 3 errors in
spelling, punctuation,
and grammatical errors
*may contain 3- 4
spelling,
punctuation, and
grammatical errors
*may contain
4- 6 spelling,
punctuation,
and
grammatical
errors
*may contain 610
spelling,
punctuation
and
grammatical
errors
*may contain
more than 10
spelling,
punctuation
and
grammatical
errors
Citation/For
mat
*conforms to MLA rules
for formatting and
citation of sources are
perfect
**3 or more direct quote
citations are used
***All summarizing and
paraphrasing is cited
*conforms to MLA
rules for formatting
and citation of
sources with minor
exceptions
**3 direct quote
citations are used
***All summarizing
and paraphrasing is
cited
*conforms to
MLA rules for
formatting and
citation of
sources with
some
exceptions
**2 direct
quote citations
are used
***All
summarizing
and
paraphrasing
is cited
*frequent errors
in MLA format
**1 direct quote
citations are
used
***some
summarizing
and
paraphrasing is
cited
*lack of MLA
format/numer
ous errors
**zero direct
quote
citations are
used
***some
summarizing
and
paraphrasing
is cited
Works
Cited
*entries entirely correct
as to MLA format
**4 or more sources
*entries mostly
correct as to MLA
format
**3 sources
*entries
mostly correct
as to MLA
format
**3 sources
*frequent errors
in MLA format
**2 sources
*lack of MLA
format/numer
ous errors
**1 source
Total
*This has a total possibility of 50 **5 pts off for each day it is late
** If there are no in-text citations for summarizing and paraphrasing then it counts as
plagiarism and consequences will be given as per the academic honesty policy.
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