Rubric Assignment: Research Report Rough Draft (30 points) Criterion Exemplary (27-30 points) Proficient (23-26 points) Emerging (18-22 points) Not Evident (0-17 points) Score and Comments Elements of a Research Report Write a research report that has an introductory paragraph with a strong thesis statement, body paragraphs that support the thesis, and a concluding paragraph that restates the thesis and summarizes main points. Points Possible: 10 Paper contains an introduction, thesis, body paragraphs with subtopic sentences, and a conclusion. Introduction grabs a reader’s attention and presents the main idea of the paper; body paragraphs support each subtopic with significant evidence from the text. Conclusion summarizes the main ideas of the essay and encourages the reader to think critically. Paper contains an introduction, thesis, body paragraphs with topic sentences, and a conclusion. Introduction presents the main idea of the paper but fails to grab the reader’s attention; body paragraphs support subtopics but don’t use adequate evidence from the text. Conclusion summarizes the main ideas of the essay but does not encourage the reader to think critically about the information presented. Paper has a weak introduction, thesis, body paragraphs, and/or conclusion. Main idea or thesis is not clear. Body paragraphs are missing strong subtopic sentences and/or supporting evidence. Conclusion does not encourage the reader to think critically. Paper is missing significant structural elements. No main idea is present. Body paragraphs lack subtopic sentences and supporting evidence. Conclusion is ineffective or not present. Score: Comments:
Synthesis Synthesize information from multiple sources Points Possible: 10 First draft reflects a strong ability to synthesize information from multiple information sources. All synthesized information is in the student's own words (except for cited paraphrases and quotations), with clearly identifiable main ideas and supporting details. First draft reflects a good ability to synthesize information from multiple information sources. Most synthesized information is in the student's own words (except for cited paraphrases and quotations), with main ideas and supporting details. First draft reflects a weak ability to synthesize information from multiple information sources. Synthesized information may all be from 1–2 sources, not in the student's own words, or may not have clearly identifiable main ideas and supporting details. First draft reflects a poor ability to synthesize information from multiple information sources. Very little synthesis is present; information may be lifted word for word from one or more sources (or not cited appropriately); draft does not contain clearly identifiable main ideas and supporting details. Score: Comments: Organization/Structure Organize the information according to subtopic Points Possible: 5 All organizational elements of the research paper (main topic, subtopics, and supporting details) are present, well-developed, and compelling. Student has clearly arranged the paper according to a specific organizational structure (chronological, most-to-least important, etc.). Student uses examples from text to clearly support central ideas, concepts, and themes. Primary elements of organization (thesis, subtopics, and supporting details) are mostly accurate, appropriate, and compelling. There is evidence of a strategy for determining order of information with transitions. Information is organized into subtopics supports central ideas, concepts, and themes. Primary elements of organization (thesis, subtopics, and supporting details) are often inaccurate, inappropriate, underdeveloped, or not compelling, or may be missing entirely. There is little evidence of a strategy for determining order of information. Some primary elements of organization (thesis, subtopics, and supporting details) are missing entirely or are inaccurate and underdeveloped. is no evidence of a strategy for determining order of information. Information is not organized into subtopics and/or does not support central ideas, concepts, and themes. Score: Comments:
Mechanics/Conventions Use a variety of simple, compound, and complex sentences Points Possible: 5 Writer follows all guidelines for spelling, grammar, usage, and mechanics. Sentences are direct, clear, varied, and sophisticated. Tone and word choice are consistently appropriate. Writer follows most guidelines, but some sentences are unclear, uneven, or contain errors. Some additional proofreading is necessary. Tone and word choice are appropriate. Writer follows some guidelines, but sentences contain multiple errors and are difficult to understand. There is little evidence of proofreading. Tone and word choice are sometimes not appropriate. Writer has difficulty following guidelines; many sentences contain numerous errors and cannot be understood. There is no evidence of proofreading. Tone and word choice are often not appropriate. Score: Comments: Student Name: Total Score: