RESEARCH PAPER RUBRIC
10-9
8-7
6-5
4--0
Quality of
Information
Information clearly relates
to the main topic. It
includes several supporting
details and/or examples.
Information clearly relates
to the main topic. It
provides 1-2 supporting
details and/or examples.
Information clearly relates
to the main topic. No
details and/or examples
are given.
Information has little or
nothing to do with the
main topic.
Organization
Information is very
organized with wellconstructed paragraphs
and subheadings.
Information is organized
with well-constructed
paragraphs.
Information is organized,
but paragraphs are not
well-constructed.
The information
appears to be
disorganized. 8)
Paragraph
Construction
All paragraphs include
introductory sentence,
explanations or details, and
concluding sentence.
Most paragraphs include
introductory sentence,
explanations or details,
and concluding sentence.
Paragraphs included
related information but
were typically not
constructed well.
Paragraphing structure
was not clear and
sentences were not
typically related within
the paragraphs.
Amount of
Information
Paper clearly meets the
minimum word requirement
of 3-5 pages using clearly
thought out language.
Paper meets minimum
Paper is approaching the
requirement of 3-5 pages
minimum of 3-5 pages.
words though it is clear the
ideas are stretched to meet
the requirement.
Paper does not closely
meet the minimum
requirement.
Sources
All sources (information
and graphics) are
accurately documented in
MLA format.
All sources (information
and graphics) are
accurately documented,
but a few are not in MLA
format.
All sources (information
and graphics) are
accurately documented,
but many are not in MLA
format.
Some sources are not
accurately documented
or not at all.
Thesis
Thesis is well crafted and
is thoroughly addressed
through written analysis.
Thesis is apparent and is
addressed through written
analysis.
Thesis is weak and/or not
clearly addressed
throughout written
analysis.
Thesis is either unclear
or not addressed
throughout written
analysis.
Research
Thorough and legitimate
scholarly research is clear
and is applied throughout
the written report.
Legitimate research is
clear and is applied
throughout the written
report.
Research is implied and is
loosely applied throughout
written report/ Sources
may be limited or
questionable.
Little research
apparent/ Sources may
be limited or
questionable.
Quotes
Quotes are cleverly used
and precisely formatted
throughout the paper.
Quotes are used and well
formatted throughout the
paper.
Quotes are used, however
formatting issues are
apparent.
No quotes used
throughout paper.
Mechanics
No grammatical, spelling or Almost no grammatical,
punctuation errors.
spelling or punctuation
errors
A few grammatical
spelling, or punctuation
errors.
Many grammatical,
spelling, or punctuation
errors.
Formatting
Paper clearly and neatly
follows MLA style
guidelines.
Paper does not follow MLA Paper is not typed or is
style guidelines, but is
sloppy in appearance.
typed and neat.
CATEGORY
Paper mostly follows MLA
style guidelines.