RUBRIC FOR MIT 2004 SEMINAR PAPERS
NAME: __________________________
NOVICE __
INTRODUCTION
No introduction, or
content is unrelated to
rest of paper. Nothing
tells reader what paper is
about.
NOVICE __
THEMES &
SUPPORT
Unclear. No themes
identified. Series of
isolated statements.
Circular statements,
same idea repeated but
not developed.
NOVICE __
Small detail, limited
significance
DEVELOPING __
Tells reader what paper
is about but with little
connection among the
sentences or ideas.
DEVELOPING __
Book report summary.
Support but no
integration. Provides
quotes but doesn't
develop relationships
between quotes and
stated themes.
DEVELOPING __
Some significance,
remained unconnected.
CAPABLE __
Tells reader what the
paper is about and
connects the ideas
CAPABLE __
Themes identified.
Support provided and
some integration
apparent. Quoted text
and attempted
development of
relationships between
quotes and some of
stated themes.
CAPABLE __
Significant themes,
clarified meaning.
SIGNIFICANCE
OF THEMES
PERSONAL
APPLICATION
SKILLED __
Clearly tells reader
purpose of paper and
plan for paper. Ideas in
introduction are
connected to each other
and to the rest of the
paper.
SKILLED __
Unified themes and well
chosen text to support.
Relationships developed
between quotes and
stated themes.
SKILLED __
Broad, very wide
significance, offers
historical, cultural,
political or
combination of
contexts for its/their
significance.
NOVICE __
DEVELOPING __
CAPABLE __
SKILLED __
No personal perspective
on idea(s) offered.
Personal perspective
stated, but does not seem
related to the author's
ideas. Connection to
themes not clear.
Personal perspective
stated, explained, and
loosely connected to
authors' idea(s). Loosely
connected to themes.
Perspective clearly
stated, explained, and
directly connected to the
authors' idea(s). Clearly
connected to themes.
NOVICE __
DEGREE OF
INTEGRATION
Books (articles, films,
etc.) discussed as
separate entities. Paper
is a summary, a set of
unconnected quotes or
ideas, personal political
statement, information
limited or unclear.
DEVELOPING __
CAPABLE __
SKILLED __
Separate discussion of
materials with no
connection to themes.
Writer makes a
discovery though more
information and
exploration is needed to
"fill in the blanks."
Themes supported with
some integration of
materials attempted.
Discussion/exploration is
clear but not detailed or
expanded enough to
show or demonstrate indepth understanding.
Themes well supported
through clear integration
of texts (books, articles,
films, etc.) Paper is
clear and focused,
demonstrates
understanding: is
relevant and includes
quality details to support
the discussion/
exploration.
DEVELOPING __
CAPABLE __
SKILLED __
NOVICE __
USE OF WRITING 
CONVENTIONS


No citations.
Many misspelled
words could have
been caught with
proofing or spell
check.
Many fragments and
run-on sentences.
Grammar and
vocabulary unclear
to reader and reader
had difficulty
understanding the
message.

"Someone said..."
"An author said..."

Most references
cited by name.

Misspelled words
not easily caught by
spell check.

Few misspelled
words.


Some fragments and
run-on sentences,
some awkward
construction. Many
grammatical
mistakes, but, reader
could understand
intent of message.

Few fragments and
run-on sentences.
Few grammatical
mistakes.
Uses language
appropriate for
requirements of this
paper; clear and
concise when giving
information;
complex sentence
structure; and
abstract/rich
vocabulary.

All references cited
by name using
correct APA format.

No misspelled
words.

Very few or no
grammatical
mistakes.

Highly effective use
of language to
emphasize or
enhance meaning;
variety of language
techniques used
(vivid language,
metaphor, humor,
imagery, simile,
etc.).