History Research Paper Grading Guidelines
Compliance
Citation
Research
Thesis
Support of Thesis
Quotations
Accuracy / Relevance
NAME
Excellent
Good
Meets the basic requirements for this particular project
All sources are cited properly and
accurately
Extensive research. Sources are
well-chosen (both content and
reputability) Research is well
balanced
Easily identifiable, original,
sophisticated, insightful, and
clear.
The thesis is supported with
specific, historical evidence. The
reader does not need to assume
anything or do additional research
to accept main argument.
Quotations are used effectively.
Quotations are properly
introduced.
All information used is
historically accurate and relevant
All or almost all sources used are
cited but contain minor errors
Sufficient research.
Promising, but may be slightly
unclear, or lacking in insight or
originality.
The thesis is mostly supported
with specific, historical evidence.
Reader must make a few mental
leaps or do some additional
research to fully accept all aspects
of main argument.
Most quotations are used
effectively. Quotations are not
always properly introduced.
All information historically
accurate; most is relevant to topic.
Depth
Importance
Thorough coverage
Good coverage
The paper addresses the importance, or “place in history,” of the topic.
Analysis
Strong analysis.
Organization &
Structure
Paper is well-organized. Structure
of the paper is clear and easy to
follow.
All ideas in the paper flow
logically. The paper lets the
reader know exactly what the
author is trying to communicate.
The author considers the
evidence, or alternate
interpretations of evidence, that
could be used to refute or weaken
his/her argument, and thoughtfully
responds to it.
Paper is well-written. Sentence
structure, grammar, and diction
excellent. Errors, if any, are
neither obvious nor
significant.
Logic,
Argumentation, and
clarity
Counterargument
Mechanics
Adequate Analysis (may be
unevenly developed).
Paper is mostly well-organized.
Structure is mostly clear and easy
to follow.
Argument of paper is clear,
usually flows logically and makes
sense.
Word Count ______
Satisfactory
Mostly meets the basic
requirements for this particular
project
All or almost all sources are cited
but contain many errors.
Minimum research.
Unsatisfactory
Partially meets the basic
requirements for this particular
project
Several sources are not cited and
contain many errors.
Some research but inadequate.
Sources are not well-chosen.
Research is not well balanced.
Failing
Does not meet the basic
requirements for this particular
project
No citation
May be unclear (contain many
vague terms), appear unoriginal,
or offer relatively little that is new
Some good evidence to support
thesis. Some evidence does not
support thesis.
Difficult to identify at all, may be
bland restatement of obvious
point.
Not enough evidence is provided
to support author’s argument, or
evidence is incomplete, incorrect,
or oversimplified.
Has no identifiable thesis
Quotations are used but not
effectively. Quotations are not
properly introduced
Accurate for the most part; some
important information is not
accurate or omitted. Some
irrelevant information.
Shallow /acceptable
The paper does not clearly address
the importance, or “place in
history,” of the topic.
Superficial / simplistic analysis.
Quotations are used far too often that the paper contains very little of
student's own writing OR Quotations are used far too little that there is
nothing to substantiate your argument.
Several instances of
Frequent misrepresenting facts
misrepresenting facts and
and concepts. Mostly irrelevant
concepts. Mostly irrelevant
information
information.
Too shallow / unsatisfactory
Too shallow /unsatisfactory
The paper does not address the importance, or “place in history,” of the
topic.
Structure of the paper is not easy
to follow.
Organization and structure detract
from the message of the writer.
Logic may often fail, or argument
may often be unclear.. May
contain logical contradictions.
Ideas do not flow. Simplistic
Impossible to understand.
view of topic; Many logical
contradictions, or simply too
incoherent to determine.
No acknowledgement of counter-evidence or alternative interpretations
Author acknowledges that counter-evidence or alternative
interpretations exists, but does not effectively explain to reader why
his/her argument still stands.
Paper is mostly well-written.
Occasional errors in spelling,
punctuation, grammar, sentence &
paragraph construction; not severe
enough to hinder an understanding
of the paper’s main points.
Frequent errors in spelling,
punctuation, grammar, sentence &
paragraph construction. Errors
may make sections of the paper
unintelligible.
Little to no research.
The thesis is not well-supported.
Either no evidence is provided, or
there are numerous factual
mistakes, omissions or
oversimplifications.
Descriptive rather than analytical.
Errors often distract and confuse
the reader, requiring the reader to
reread passages
Essay has no clear organizational
pattern.
Paper is full of grammatical errors
and bad writing. Several words
are misused. Does not meet
minimum requirements for
grammar and style at the
university level