The levels of performance are competent , satisfactory and not yet satisfactory . They should reflect either absolute standards for the discipline or course, or might be relative to the standards expected of a student at that level of study. Note that not all criteria may be relevant, and likewise, other criteria may need to be added i.e. the rubric must first be modified for your own use. Shelley Yeo. March 2006.
Provide criteria that specify the elements of academic quality
Descriptors for work that indicates competence (in relation to standards expected)
Descriptors for work that is acceptable but not yet competent
(in relation to standards expected)
Descriptors for work that is unsatisfactory or below expectations
(in relation to standards expected) and possibly reasons as to why it is unacceptable.
POSSIBLE CRITERIA COMPETENT
Use of, or reference to, others’ work
Use of citations
Reference List
At least X sources have been referenced.
All references are from reputable
(or acceptable) sources.
Citations are referenced according to AAA formatting guidelines.
Citations are relevant to the argument
Reference list is complete and has been formatted according to AAA guidelines.
SATISFACTORY
At least Y sources have been referenced.
Most references are from reputable sources.
Citations are mostly referenced according to AAA guidelines, but there may be minor errors or omissions.
Some citations may not be relevant to the argument.
Reference list is complete and generally follows a set of formatting guidelines but there are some / many minor errors or omissions
Statement of personal position
A personal position has been clearly stated and
Personal position is clearly distinct from the views or positions of other authors.
Answering the question Question is fully answered. No parts of the paper focus on irrelevant material or irrelevant argument.
A personal position has been stated but is not
.
Personal position is not always distinguished from the views or positions of other authors.
NOT YET SATISFACTORY
Fewer than Y sources have been referenced.
Fewer than Z references are from reputable sources or more than
ZZ references are from unacceptable or disreputable sources (or sources that were specifically excluded in instructions).
Few, if any, citations are relevant to the argument.
Citations are not formatted according to AAA guidelines, or there are significant errors in referencing citations.
Citations are seldom or never referenced.
Omissions of referencing cause ambiguity about the ownership of the work.
Reference list is inadequate because of one or more of the following:

It is incomplete, or contains sources not cited.

References lack detail required to locate the source.

Formatting is inappropriate or inconsistent.

References are fabricated.
Personal position is not stated or is stated but not at all supported by evidence from the literature
Personal position is usually indistinguishable from the views or positions of other authors, causing ambiguity about the ownership of the work.
Question is answered.
Irrelevant material or irrelevant argument does not significantly detract from the main response.
Very little of the answer addresses the question that is asked.
Much of the argument is irrelevant.
Large parts of the paper focus on irrelevant material.
Acknowledgement is given to Ursula McGowan for the idea for this rubric.