Science and Technology Seminar and Project Rubric for Grading Student Project Abstracts Name:___________________

Criterion Substandard 1 pt Abstract length and format 5 pts Poor 2 pts Fair 3 pts Good 4 pts Excellent 5 pts

Substandard
Abstract written as multiple short paragraphs or otherwise fails to comply with format and length guidelines

Fair
Abstract written as a single, concise paragraph, but it is too brief to effectively summarize the project

Excellent
Abstract written as a single, concise paragraph

Components 5 pts All major sections are represented: Motivation, Problem statement, Approach, Results, Conclusions Organization & Structure 5 pts

Substandard
Three or more components missing or lacking

Poor
Two or more components missing or lacking

Fair
One component missing or lacking

Good
All components included and reasonably well written

Excellent
All components included and are exceptionally well written; each component contributes to the goal of communicating the significance of the project and generates interest

Substandard
Structure detracts from the message of the writer Thoughts are disjointed and lack transition

Poor
Structure of the abstract is not easy to follow Transitions need improvement

Fair
Structure of the abstract is clear Most transitions are logical but there is some room for improvement in the flow of the abstract

Good
Structure of the abstract is clear Transitions are logical and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the abstract

Excellent
Structure of the abstract is exceptional Transitions are logical and contribute to the overall high quality and effectiveness of the abstract

Content & Discussion 5 pts Appropriate level of detail to summarize background information, method, data, and conclusions Clear take-home message 5 pts Communicates importance of the research and the significance of the findings

Substandard
Content is incomplete Major required topics are lacking or not all included or poorly discussed

Poor
Major points are addressed, but not well supported or discussed

Fair
Content is accurate and mostly complete

Good
Major points are stated clearly and in an interesting way to draw in the reader

Excellent
The content, style, thoughts, etc. are highly effective at communicating the significance of the project; points are clearly, concisely, accurately, and critically discussed

Substandard
Abstract does not express why the research is important, relevant, nor why the reader should care

Poor
Abstract contains many general statements and does not provide evidence that the student understood and synthesized how the project was completed or what was learned

Fair
Abstract does a reasonable job of presenting the take home message of the paper and project

Good
Abstract effectively communicates the significance of the paper and project, the main results, and their applications; abstract entices readers into obtaining and reading a full-length copy of the paper

Excellent
Abstract is easily readable, flows well, is informative and creates a desire for the reader to obtain and analyze a fulllength copy of the paper

Language usage 5 pts

Substandard
Inappropriate tense used; many spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors

Poor

Fair
Inappropriate tense used; OR some spelling, punctuation errors, or grammatical errors are present

Good

Excellent
Appropriate tense used; all grammar and spelling correct, with high readability

Conventions followed 5 pts

Substandard
Only one of the following is true as applicable:
- Contractions are avoided - Appropriate species name format used (Ex: Homo sapiens) - Personal pronouns are used rarely, if at all - Jargon is minimal - Acronyms are defined - References are not cited

Poor
Only two of the following are true as applicable:
- Contractions are avoided - Appropriate species name format used (Ex: Homo sapiens) - Personal pronouns are used rarely, if at all - Jargon is minimal - Acronyms are defined - References are not cited

Fair
Only three of the following are true as applicable:
- Contractions are avoided - Appropriate species name format used (Ex: Homo sapiens) - Personal pronouns are used rarely, if at all - Jargon is minimal - Acronyms are defined - References are not cited

Good
Only four of the following are true as applicable:
- Contractions are avoided - Appropriate species name format used (Ex: Homo sapiens) - Personal pronouns are used rarely, if at all - Jargon is minimal - Acronyms are defined - References are not cited

Excellent
All of the following are true as applicable:
- Contractions are avoided - Appropriate species name format used (Ex: Homo sapiens) - Personal pronouns are used rarely, if at all - Jargon is minimal - Acronyms are defined - References are not cited

Note: The total possible score for this abstract is 40. Five additional points will be added to the 35 possible points described in the rubric above if the abstract was submitted by the deadline and in the proper file format.