MLA Research PaperGrading Rubric
ENG 101
SKCTC
Introduction
Unacceptable
(Below Standards)
Does not adequately
convey the topic.
Does not describe
subtopics to be
reviewed.
Lacks adequate thesis
statement.
1-2 points
Focus &
Sequencing
Little evidence
material is logically
organized
into topic, subtopics
or related to topic.
Many transitions are
unclear or
nonexistent.
0-5 points
Marginal to
Acceptable (Meets
Standards)
Acceptable - Good
(Occasionally Exceeds)
Excellent
(Exceeds Standards)
Points
Possible
& Score
Conveys topic, but not
key question(s).
Describes
subtopics to be
reviewed. General
thesis statement.
Conveys topic and key
question(s). Clearly
delineates subtopics to
be reviewed. General
thesis statement.
Strong introduction of
topic’s key question(s),
terms. Clearly delineates
subtopics to be reviewed.
Specific thesis statement.
___ / 5
3 points
Most material clearly
related to subtopic,
main topic. Material
may not be organized
within
subtopics. Attempts
to provide variety of
transitions.
4 points
5 points
All material clearly
related to subtopic, main
topic
and logically organized
within subtopics. Clear,
varied transitions
linking subtopics and
the main
topic.
All material clearly related
to subtopic, main topic.
Strong organization and
integration of material
within subtopics.
Strong transitions linking
subtopics and the main topic.
13-19 points
20 points
6-12 points
___ / 20
Support &
Conclusion
Few sources
supporting the thesis.
Sources
insignificant or
unsubstantiated. Does
not summarize
evidence with respect
to thesis
statement. Does not
discuss the impact of
researched material
on the topic.
0-5 points
Grammar &
Mechanics
Sources well-selected to
support thesis with some
research in support of
the thesis. Strong
review of
key conclusions. Strong
integration with thesis
statements. Discusses
impact of researched
material on the topic.
13-19 points
6-12 points
Strong, peer-reviewed,
research-based support for
the thesis. Strong review
of key conclusions.
Strong
integration with the thesis
statement. Insightful
discussion of impact of
the researched material on
the topic.
Very
few
grammatical,
spelling
or
punctuation errors
interfere with
Grammatical errors or
spelling & punctuation
are rare and do not
detract from
The paper is free of
grammatical errors and
spelling &
from the paper.
reading the paper.
the paper.
punctuation.
Word choice is
informal in tone.
Writing is
choppy, with many
awkward or unclear
passages.
0-5 points
4-9 points
Word choice is
occasionally informal
in tone. Writing has a
few awkward or
unclear passages.
6-12 points
10-14 points
Scholarly style. Writing
has minimal awkward or
unclear passages.
13-19 points
___ / 20
20 points
Grammatical errors or
spelling &
punctuation
substantially detract
0-3 points
Communication
Sources generally
acceptable but not
peer-reviewed
research
(evidence) based.
Review of key
conclusions. Some
integration with thesis
statement. Discusses
impact of researched
material on topic.
___ / 15
15 points
Writing is fluent.
20 points
___ / 20
MLA Style,
Citations &
References
Errors in MLA style
detract substantially
from the
paper. Reference and
citation errors detract
significantly from paper.
0-5 points
Additional Comments:
Errors in MLA style
are noticeable. Two
references or
citations missing or
incorrectly written.
6-12 points
Rare errors in MLA style
that do not detract from
the paper. One reference
or
citation missing or
incorrectly written.
13-19 points
No errors in MLA style.
Scholarly style. All
references and citations
are correctly
written and present.
20 points
___ /20