LANGUAGE ARTS 10 INFORMATIVE RESEARCH PAPER
Course Target:

I will apply my knowledge of the 6 + 1 traits of writing in my technical, descriptive and
expository writing.
WHAT?
You are writing a 3-4 page research paper explaining how a person of your choice is
a hero. The goal of this paper is to inform yourself and your audience about your hero and
how they have contributed to society.
HOW?
You will be completing this paper in steps. Stay on task with the steps; if you fall
behind, plan to stay after to make it up! What you do not finish in class is your homework
and your responsibility! See your teacher before or after school whenever you need extra
help! Use your class calendar to help stay on task. In order to turn in the final research
paper, you are required to turn in all the formative process assignments (e.g. you
need a rough draft in order to turn in a final paper). The steps for this paper are
listed below (underlined words are formative assessments); feel free to use it as a
checklist:
Step 1: I did an explore chart and chose a topic to research
Step 2: I gathered sources and created a works cited page
Step 3: I took notes from my sources
Step 4: I created an outline for my paper
Step 5: I created a rough draft for my paper
Step 6: I revised my rough draft and created a final paper
GRADING
This is a summative assessment, which means that it is an assignment that
demonstrates your understanding of skills you learned this trimester. Your final graded
paper will be graded according to the rubric. In order to be successful, please work hard
to achieve all elements in the rubric at the advanced level.
The Informative Research Paper Rubric
Course Target:
All information,
quotations, and
borrowed ideas are
listed in MLA format
on the Works Cited
Page and are complete
with no format errors.
All information,
quotations, and
borrowed ideas are
listed in MLA format
on the Works Cited
Page are complete but
contains 1-2 format
errors.
Most information,
quotations, and
borrowed ideas are
listed in MLA format
on the Works Cited
Page and/or contain 34 format errors.
Works Cited
Page:
Differentiated
Sources
The author uses at
least three different
types of credible
sources (Online
Database, Website,
and print source).
The author uses at
least two different
types of sources
(Online Database,
Website, and/or print
source).
The author uses at
least one source type.
Online Database,
Website, or print
source).
Parenthetical
Citations
All information,
quotations, and
borrowed ideas are
cited in correct and
complete parenthetical
MLA format.
Most information,
quotations, and
borrowed ideas are
cited in correct and
complete parenthetical
MLA format.
Little to no
information, quotation,
and borrowed ideas
are cited and lack
correct and complete
parenthetical format.
Format
The paper is typed,
Times New Roman
and 12 point font.
Margins are 1 inch on
all sides and the paper
is double spaced. The
paper also has a
creative, original title
in bold or underlined.
The paper is typed,
Times New Roman
and 12 point font.
Margins are 1 inch on
all sides and the paper
is double spaced. The
paper has a somewhat
creative title that is
bold or underlined.
Some information,
quotation, and
borrowed ideas are
cited with some errors
in correct and
complete parenthetical
format.
The paper is typed.
The writer may have
used an alternate font
size or type. Margins
are 1 inch on all sides.
There may be
unnecessary spacing
between paragraphs.
The title exists, but is
not original.
Introduction
Paragraph
Writer captures the
audience’s attention
by providing
important
background/detail
sentences that
introduce the hero’s
relevance.
Writer provides
background
information, but it
may not introduce the
hero’s relevance.
Writer has
background
information;
however, one of the
parts may not be fully
developed or
engaging.
Writer has
unimportant
background/detail
sentences, or the
paragraph is missing
one of these two
components.
Thesis is positioned as
the last sentence in the
introduction
paragraph. It
expresses one main
idea and is specific.
Each body paragraph
begins with a clear
topic statement, is
followed by at least
three supportive
details, and has a
concluding sentence.
Thesis is positioned as
the last sentence in the
introduction paragraph
and effectively
expresses the topic to
be discussed.
Each body paragraph
begins with a topic
statement, is followed
by at least three
supportive details, and
has a concluding
sentence.
Thesis is recognizable,
but not in its correct
position or specific.
Thesis is
unrecognizable or
missing. There is no
main idea or clear
topic stated.
Each body paragraph
attempts an attempt at
a topic sentence, some
support, and a
concluding sentence.
The writer attempts
paragraphs, but does
not follow proper
format.
Presentation 10%
(5 points)
MLA FORMAT
30% (15 points)
Works
Cited Page:
Conventions
ORGANIZATION 20% (10 points)
I will apply my knowledge of the 6 + 1 traits of writing in my technical,
descriptive and expository writing. (50 points total)
Thesis
Statement
Body
Paragraphs
Some or no
information,
quotations, and
borrowed ideas are
listed in MLA format
on the Works Cited
Page and/or contain
more than 4 format
errors.
The author does not
use a source.
The paper may not be
typed or the writer
used an alternate font
size or type. Spacing
and/or margins may be
altered to give the
impression of greater
length. The title is not
creative and may be
underlined and bold.
Transitions
Transitional words or
phrases facilitate the
flow of ideas, are
smooth, and help align
paragraphs.
Some transitional
words or phrases are
smooth and help to
connect ideas.
Conclusion
The conclusion
restates the thesis and
raises issues to a
greater whole. It
contains no distracting
information that strays
from the focus of the
thesis.
The support used in
thesis is specific and
accurate according to
the research.
Explanation of
idea s
Mechanics
CONVENTIONS
10% (5 pts)
IDEAS 30% (15 points)
Support
There are few or no
transitional words or
phrases. Idea
connections are
missing or confusing.
The conclusion
restates the thesis and
keeps the focus of the
paper.
There are some
transitional words or
phrases, but they are
confusing and do not
make the paper
“flow.”
The conclusion’s focus
is fuzzy and strays
from the argument of
the thesis.
There is support for
thesis, but it may not
all be specific or
accurate according to
the research.
There is support for
thesis, but it is not
specific or accurate
according to the
research.
There is little to no
support for the thesis.
Writer effectively
explains reasoning and
connections between
support. There is
synthesis of the
support used.
Writer explains
reasoning and
connections between
support, but it may not
be effective.
Writer explains some
reasoning and
connections between
support.
Writer explains little
to no reasoning and
connections between
support.
The writer
demonstrates excellent
control in grammar,
correct capitalization,
punctuation, and
spelling.
The writer
demonstrates very
minimal errors in
grammar,
capitalization,
punctuation, and
spelling.
The writer has
multiple errors in
grammar; spelling,
capitalization, and
punctuation that are
becoming distracting
to the reader.
The writer’s control of
grammar,
capitalization,
punctuation, and
spelling errors are
distracting to the
reader.
Teacher Comments and Grade: _______/50 points
The conclusion is
unconnected to the
ideas of the thesis and
strays from the focus
of the paper.