Annotated Bibliography and Research Paragraph Rubric
(9/8) A: An excellent project
Research Intro & Body Paragraph
- Paragraph writing shows good critical thinking outstanding depth of analysis, excellent workmanship,
originality
- topic sentence clearly and cohesively addresses both the topic and the writer’s opinion and relates directly to the
thesis.
- organization is so clear that the reader knows at all times what the purpose of the paragraph is and how the writer
is accomplishing this purpose
- paragraphs are coherent and well-developed; sentences are clear in meaning
- source quotations cogently and powerfully support the topic sentence
- quotations are smoothly, clearly, and grammatically incorporated into the writer’s prose; there are no floating
quotations
- commentary shows outstanding depth of analysis as well as exact, appropriate, and sensitive word choice
- Very few minor grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors; no major errors
- No MLA format errors
Research Annotated Bibliography
- All sources included and correctly formatted
- Summaries show excellent workmanship
- Analysis of the value of the source shows insight and outstanding critical thinking
- No grammar or MLA errors
(7/6) B: A very good project
- Writing shows better than average ability to relate ideas; some depth of analysis, some originality
- topic sentence clearly addresses both the topic and the writer’s opinion and relates directly to the thesis.
- organization is clear
- paragraph is well-developed; sentences are clear
- source quotations clearly support the topic sentence
- quotation incorporation is good, but not outstanding; NO floating quotations
- commentary shows good analysis and appropriate word choice
- few grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors
- Only a few minor MLA format errors
Research Annotated Bibliography
- All sources included and correctly formatted
- Summaries show careful workmanship
- Analysis of the value of the source shows insight and critical thinking
- No grammar or MLA errors
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(5) C: a good, average project
- Paragraph writing is routine; somewhat lacking in depth of analysis; thin
- topic sentence is unclear and may not address the topic and the writer’s opinion
- organization is somewhat unclear; paragraph structure loose; sentences correct but not cohesive
- questionable choice of source quotations
- routine quotation incorporation; repetitive format; no floating quotations
- Commentary shows average, routine insight and generally appropriate word choice
- some grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors
- several MLA format errors
Research Annotated Bibliography
- All sources included and correctly formatted
- Summaries are routine, and superficial
- Analysis of the value of the source is vague and thin
- Some grammar or MLA errors
(4/3) D: A project that is below average
- Paragraph writing is thin, vague, lacks analysis
- topic sentence is unclear and does not address the topic or the writer’s opinion
- organization unclear
- paragraph poorly developed
- poor quotation choice and/or floating quotations; poor quotation incorporation; poor use of the text
- commentary is lacking or is simplistic; sentences awkward; word choice trite, inappropriate
- several grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors
- numerous MLA format errors
Research Annotated Bibliography
- Some sources missing or incorrectly formatted
- Summaries show an incorrect understanding of the task
- Analysis of the value of the source shows lack of understanding
- Numerous grammar or MLA errors
(2/1) F: An insufficient project (length, source requirement, quotation requirement)
- paragraph does not prove topic sentence
- writing is thin, vague, trite; lacks analysis
- mistakes in comprehension of sources
- organization is very poor, with lack of unity or poor development
- missing quotations; floating quotations; badly incorporated; sentences awkward, unclear, with inept word choice
- commentary is missing, trite, shows lack of understanding of the source and/or the topic
- excessive grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors
- excessive MLA format errors
Research Annotated Bibliography
- Sources missing and/or incorrectly formatted
- Summaries missing or incomplete
- Analysis missing, incoherent, incomplete
- Excessive grammar or MLA errors
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Plagiarism is not an error. It is a choice. If ANY PART of your research paper is found to be plagiarized,
you will receive a zero.
Please check your paper for each of these grammar, usage, and mechanics problems. An excess of these errors will
adversely affect your grade
Sources/Quotes/Concrete Details
Included on the Annotated Bibliography
Cited correctly in paragraph
Embedded correctly in paragraph
Usage:
Sentence Structure:
Run-ons
Fragments
Confusing or awkward sentences
Repetitive sentence types
Word Usage:
Incorrect word choice
NO-NOS:
I
you
contractions
slang
homonyms: there, their, they’re
MLA Formatting:
Title of Paper
Heading
Header
1" Margins
Double Spaced
Correct Citation of every source
White paper/ black ink
Works Cited:
Alignment
Spacing
Title
Correct format (reverse indentation)
Alphabetical order
Mechanics:
Spelling
Capitalization
Punctuation
Commas
Quotation marks
Italics
Periods
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