Research Paper Rubric (200 points)
Criteria
Focus/Purpose/Main Idea (20%)
Content (20%)
Use of Research, if applicable
(20%)
Organization (10%)
Style (10%)
Citation Format (10%)
Grammar/Mechanics (10%)
Exceeds expectations
Assignment’s purpose or focus
is clear and sophisticated. (3240 points)
Assignment implements the
assignment expectations in a
sophisticated manner. (32-40
points)
Student engages with the
research in a professional
manner. (32-40 points)
Assignment has a sophisticated
organization with paragraphs
that include topic sentences,
and/or is aesthetically pleasing,
when required. (16-20 points)
Writing style is clear and
concise and uses sophisticated
sentence structures where the
author’s voice shines through.
(16-20 points)
Citation format is used
correctly and consistently. (1620 points)
Assignment contains few to no
grammar and mechanic errors.
(16-20 points)
Meets expectations
Assignment contains a clear
focus or purpose. (28-31
points)
Assignment minimally
implements the assignment
expectations. (28-31 points)
Below expectations
Assignment does not contain a
clear focus or purpose. (0-28
points)
Assignment does not meet one
or more of the assignment
expectations. (0-28 points)
Research is integrated
smoothly into the
assignment. (28-31 points)
Assignment is organized
logically with clear
paragraphs that mostly have
topic sentences. (0-13 points)
Research is dropped into the
assignment and not explained.
(0-28 points)
Assignment has no clear
organization or the organization
is confusing for the reader. (0-12
points)
Writing style is average for a
graduate student: clear and
concise. (0-13 points)
Writing style is at the
undergraduate level with simple
sentence structures. (0-12
points)
Citations have several errors
and may not be consistent.
(0-13 points)
Assignment contains some
grammar and mechanic
errors. (0-13 points)
Citations are missing or not
consistent. (0-12 points)
Grammar and mechanic errors
are distracting and make the
paper difficult to read. (0-12
points)