Research Paper Rubric
Component 100% 75% 50% 25% 0
Basic Requirements
Formatted correctly, at least 500 words in length, citation page and internal citations correct (APA format), at least 2 cited peer reviewed sources.
Does not meet required page length, and/or does not have 2 cited peer reviewed sources.
Thesis Statement
Engaging, challenging, and clearly focuses the paper. Effectively stated in the introduction and carried throughout the paper.
Clear and articulate, engaging and clearly focuses the paper, but is not challenging. Is effectively carried throughout the paper.
Clearly stated in the introduction, attempts to be engaging, is adequate, but lacks insight and focus, and is carried through the paper.
Included in the introduction, but is vague. Lacks insight, focus, and is not carried throughout the paper.
Is vague or may be lacking in the introduction; is not focused and lacks development; is not carried throughout the paper.
Introduction Strong and effective, it is engaging and clearly defines the thesis, as well as provides a foundation for the body of the paper.
Effective and engaging, defines the thesis and provides foundation for the body of the paper.
Introduces the topic of the paper and builds a connection between the topic, the thesis, and the body of the paper. Informative but not engaging or strong.
Introduces the topic of the paper loosely and includes the thesis statement. Provides little information regarding the topic.
Includes little more than the thesis and shows no demonstrable knowledge of the topic of the paper.
Content
Strongly and vividly supports the thesis and is reflective of strong, thorough research. Illustrates extensive knowledge of the topic. Every aspect of the thesis is supported by quality academic research.
Strongly supports the thesis and is reflective of good, thorough research. Illustrates knowledge of the topic, but could be extended. Most aspects of the thesis are supported by quality academic research.
Supports the thesis and reflects research, and illustrates adequate knowledge of the topic. Could be extended and shows some gaps in understanding of the topic. Although there may be some inconsistencies with support from quality academic research.
Related to the thesis but reflects inadequate research and knowledge of the topic, and demonstrates a lack of understanding. There may be a lack of support from quality academic research.
Does not convey adequate understanding of the topic, the research, or the thesis. There are many unsupported aspects of the thesis and the research lacks quality sources.
Organization Effectively organized. Logical structure of points and smooth transitions convey both understanding of topic and care in writing.
Well organized, but may lack some transitions between ideas. Logical structure of most ideas conveys understanding of topic and composition.
Ideas are logically structured, but may lack transitions between ideas. Could benefit from reorganizing 1 or 2 ideas.
Some significant gaps in organization are present but the basic framework of ideas is logical. Overall organization could be improved.
Much of the paper lacks organization of ideas, making it difficult to understand the ideas expressed in the paper.
Citation Format APA format is used accurately as needed throughout the entire paper.
APA format is used throughout the entire paper, but may show variations or slight inconsistencies of format.
APA format is used throughout the entire paper, but may be noticeably inconsistent in format.
APA format is used inaccurately and inconsistently in the paper.
APA is not used (regardless of the number of sources or citations).
Conclusion Strongly and clearly connects the thesis statement to the research to draw a specific conclusion that does not leave the reader with questions regarding the thesis.
Clearly connects the thesis statement and the research to draw a clear conclusion that draws the research to a logical close.
Connects the thesis statement and research to draw a conclusion regarding the research. Restates the topic statements throughout the paper.
Restates the thesis and the topic statements, but does not draw any specific conclusion about the research or the thesis.
There is no conclusion; it restates the thesis at best.
Conventions Conventions of standard written English are used with accuracy; there are few, if any, minor errors.
Conventions of standard written English are used; there may be several minor errors of usage.
Conventions of standard written English are used; however, there may be a few major errors and few minor errors of usage.
Conventions of standard written English are used with numerous major errors and several minor errors of usage.
The paper shows significant errors in conventions of standard written English.
