NAME: ____________________________________

TOO LONG? _______

LATE? _______

GRADE: _______________

JUNIOR RESEARCH PAPER GRADING RUBRIC Criteria Focus Exemplary - Includes a specific, supportable thesis in a sophisticated and concise manner that fully develops the papers purpose. - Begins by giving the paper full, sophisticated historical context that logically sets up the thesis. - Develops a logical and coherent structure that flows smoothly. - Conclusion summarizes the argument, moves the essay to broader level of significance that provides a sense of closure. Proficient - Includes a specific, supportable thesis in a concise manner that develops the papers purpose. Developing - Includes a thesis statement that is apparent but vague and does not fully develop the papers purpose. Beginning - Does not include an apparent thesis statement or includes a thesis statement that does not develop the papers purpose. - Offers little to no introduction to the reader, little to no historical context for the thesis. - Neglects to develop a structure. - Conclusion is vague, does not summarize the argument, and does not attempt to point out the larger significance.

Organization

- Begins by giving the paper clear historical context that adequately sets up the thesis. - Develops a logical and coherent structure. - Conclusion summarizes the argument and attempts to identify larger significance.

- Begins with vague, nondescriptive historical context that does not fully set up the thesis. - Develops a structure that is confusing. - Conclusion minimally summarizes and restates the argument.

Content

- Employs sufficient and wellchosen evidence that is relevant to the thesis and is historically accurate that comes from a wide variety of primary and secondary sources - Thoroughly distinguishes among significant and extraneous details - Develops and analyzes content with sophistication and originality, clearly explaining all points and evidence - Thesis is proven thoroughly throughout the paper - Addresses the limitations of the data - Recognizes and fully evaluates the bias, reliability, accuracy, and validity of data and sources where necessary.

- Employs sufficient evidence that is relevant to the thesis and is historically accurate that comes from a variety of primary and secondary sources - Generally distinguishes among significant and extraneous details - Develops and analyzes content, taking limited risks with ideas, can go further in explaining points and evidence - Thesis is proven well throughout the paper

- Provides some evidence that may or may not be relevant to the thesis and is mostly historically accurate but overuses some sources - Distinguishes among significant and extraneous details with difficulty - Reiterates content with a lack of analysis - Thesis is proven adequately throughout the paper.

- Provides little or no evidence relevant to the thesis or may not be historically accurate - Lacks quotes and citations. - Cannot distinguish among significant and extraneous details - Does not attempt analysis - Thesis is poorly or not proven throughout the paper.

Critically evaluates the sources, validity and reliability of the data

- Addresses some of the limitations of the data - Evaluates the bias, reliability, accuracy, and validity of data and sources where necessary.

- Acknowledges that there are limitations of the data - Partially evaluates the bias, reliability, accuracy, and validity of data and sources where necessary.

- Neglects to acknowledge that there are limitations of the data - Does not evaluate the bias, reliability, accuracy, and validity of data and sources where necessary.

Mechanics and Bibliography

- Uses appropriate grammar and spells correctly throughout - Uses the correct citation and bibliographic format consistently - Uses a wide variety of the most appropriate sources (relevant and reliable)

- Uses appropriate grammar and spells correctly most of the time - Uses the correct citation and bibliographic format most of the time - Uses some relevant and reliable sources

- Makes grammatical and spelling errors that distract but do not compromise the meaning - Uses incorrect citation and bibliographic format - Uses only a few relevant sources and/or may use unreliable sources

- Makes grammatical and spelling errors that compromise meaning - Does not use citations and bibliographic formats - Sources are not relevant and/or are not reliable

Research Paper Checklist (please complete your section before you turn in the paper and turn this in on Friday, April 5) (30 points, fourth quarter) Paper My paper has this rubric attached to it My paper has a proper heading in upper left corner (name, teacher, class and block, and date) Page numbers on every page The title of my paper is my research question. The title of my paper is in Times New Roman, 12-point font, ALL CAPS, centered, singlespaced My paper has 1-inch margins My paper is Times New Roman, 12 point font My paper is double-spaced AND there are no extra spaces between paragraphs My paper does not use first or second person My paper has an argumentative thesis All my evidence is cited with parenthetical citations All my evidence is analyzed All my quotes are embedded I have written this essay in accordance with the Lexington High School Honor Code found in the LHS 2012-2013 Student Parent Handbook and understand that any plagiarism will result in zero credit for this assignment as well as consequences from my dean and counselor. Me Ms. Kuo Bibliography My bibliography has the heading Works Cited My bibliography is in alphabetical order Each entry is in MLA format Each entry has a complete annotation (3 requirements) None of my annotations use first person I have used books as cited sources I have used websites as cited sources I have used databases as cited sources I have used 2 primary sources I have at least 9 sources All sources listed in my Works Cited are cited in the paper itself. I have checked all my sources to make sure they are reliable Me Ms. Kuo

I pledge on my honor that the above information has been checked off accurately and that the research paper that accompanies it is the result of my independent work. Name (print): ______________________________ Signature: _________________________________ Date: _____________________