REL 110: Literature of the New Testament Rubric

Topic/Score

4
Exceeds Expectations

3
Meets Expectations Thesis or objective is clear and manageable Arguments are persuasive Analyses/descriptions by and large correct (very few errors) Background information sufficient to frame your argument Clearly contributes to the illustration of authors points Adequate citations from assigned reading Cited portions of an appropriate length, any block quotes employed are formatted correctly and useful in context Main argument clearly stated in opening paragraphs Logic of argument clearly stated Topic sentences, conclusions & transitions present & clear No spelling or grammatical errors No contractions Format & headings clear Sentence structure clear, simple No jargon; all terms defined in context Clearly proofread, few syntactical errors Formatted correctly, meets length minimum

2
Requires Significant Improvement Focus is too broad or too narrow Discipline-based jargon not defined Does not enlighten and persuade a generalist audience Information does not clearly frame argument Analyses/descriptions contain errors Insufficient references Cited portions too long and/or formatted incorrectly

1
Requires Substantial Improvement Focus of paper not clearly defined Not specific enough to be dealt with adequately Not a persuasive argument Structure of essay hard to discern Analyses/descriptions contain several errors Extremely inadequate or irrelevant to the topic Cited portions too long and/or formatted incorrectly

Content

Thesis or objective is clear, focused and ambitious Argument presented is compelling Analyses/descriptions correct Thoroughly explained and referenced Extensive and critically presented Goes beyond the assigned reading Cited portions of an appropriate length, any block quotes employed are formatted correctly and useful in context Main argument clearly stated in opening paragraphs Logic of argument clearly stated & developed in detail Topic sentences, conclusions & transitions present & exceptionally clear No spelling or grammatical errors No contractions Format & headings clear Sentence structure clear, simple No jargon Exceptional clarity & logic in organization Clearly proofread, no syntactical errors Formatted correctly, meets length minimum

Cited Material

Organization and Clarity

Mechanics

Main argument stated in opening paragraphs but unclear on some key points Logic of argument difficult to follow in some places Topic sentences, conclusions & transitions present but unclear Significant spelling or grammatical errors Format & headings lack clarity, logic Jargon; terms lack definition in context Occasionally uses contractions Not proofread well, several syntactical errors Formatting incorrect, does not meet length minimum

Main argument unclear in opening paragraphs Logic of argument unclear Topic sentences, conclusions, & transitions absent in places or unclear Major spelling or grammatical errors Format & headings lack clarity, logic Jargon; terms lack definition in context Often uses contractions, too informal for a polished paper Not proofread well, many syntactical errors Formatting incorrect, does not meet length minimum

* This is a basic rubric that I will use to grade essay questions, final papers and/or projects. Some elements will be adjusted, according to the assignment in question.