Material
(Content)
Organization
*The paper is focused, significant,
interesting and logical
*The paper is insightful,
demonstrating originality, new
thinking or new approach
*The paper fulfills the
requirements of the assignment
*The paper contains: a clear
thesis, an introductory paragraph
forecasting the overall
organization of the paper, a
conclusion that brings finality to
the paper.
Expression
*The paper contains a variety and
complexity of sentence structures
and styles
*Word choice is audience and
topic appropriate and displays
college level use
Correctness
*The paper contains no more than
2 combined errors in grammar or
mechanics
*The paper has no spelling errors
or typos
Sources
*The paper contains sufficient and
specific support material
*All sources are cited correctly
according to MLA format
*Works Cited page is formatted
correctly – MLA format
*Support accurately paraphrased,
summarized or quoted
A (10-9)
Grade
(Points)
*The paper is somewhat
logical and insightful
*Lacks some originality
in thinking or approach
*The paper fulfills the
requirements of the
assignment
*The paper contains an
adequate introduction
and thesis
*The paper uses some
transitions but lacks
tight organization
*The paper has an
adequate conclusion
*The paper displays
some sentence variety
*Word choice is
acceptable for audience
and topic
*The writing style and
tone is somewhat
sophisticated
*The paper contains no
more than 3 combined
major and minor errors
*The paper contains a
few spelling errors
/typos
*The paper contains
sufficient and specific
support material
*Works Cited page is
formatted correctly –
MLA format
*Minor formatting
problems
B (8)
*The paper is a listing
of factors/concepts
*The paper lacks depth
and offers little insight
into new thinking-paper
repeats source material
*Average material
*The paper contains a
vague thesis, intro
paragraph lacks focus
*The paper uses few
transitions and lacks
tight organization
*Concluding paragraph
is weak/lacks finality
*The paper displays
limited sentence variety
*Word choice average
for FYC-lacks collegelevel appropriateness
*The paper displays
average writing style
and tone
*The paper contains
more than 4 combined
major and minor errors
*Several spelling errors
and typos
*The paper lacks clarity in
presenting concepts
*The paper lacks depth
and offers no insight into
material
*Paper regurgitates source
material
*The paper contains an
uncertain thesis, lacks
focus intro paragraph
misleads audience
*Disorganized, difficult to
follow line of argument,
*Inadequate conclusion
*The paper does not
follow the assignment
*Plagiarism
*Paper lacks sentence
variety
*Paper reflects below
average word choices and
appropriateness
*Writing style is
inappropriate for intended
audience
*The paper contains more
than 5 combined major
and minor errors
*Many spelling
errors/typos
*Sentence variety is
missing
*Paper reflects poor
word choices
*Writing is offensive
to audience
*Paper does not contain
appropriate number of
sources
*Several sources are not
cited properly
*Improper Paraphrase,
summary, or quotes
*Formatting problems
C (7) – Fulfills the
basic requirements
*Sources are not cited
properly
*Many formatting
problems
*The paper
demonstrates a lack
of understanding of
correct MLA
formatting and
citation methods
D (6)
*The paper lacks a
thesis
*No recognizable
organization-lacks
coherence and unity
*No transitions
*Poor conclusion
*The paper contains
too many errors to
read
F (5-0)