Rubrics: CRITERION A: Research Question This criterion assesses the extent to which the scope of the research paper is specified in relation to language and media. CRITERION B: Rationale This criterion assesses the rationale which contextualizes the research question, provides background knowledge of the subject matter, and explains the significance of the study. The rationale foregrounds the significance and context of the study. It should discuss why the present research is to be undertaken in the first place as well as the possible approach the researchers will take in exploring the topic and research question identified. The rationale should be 300-500 words.

CRITERION C: Review of Related Literature This criterion assesses the extent to which the investigation is planned and an appropriate range of sources has been consulted, or data has been gathered, that is relevant to the research questions. The proper planning of a research paper should involve interrogating secondary sources in light of ‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍ the research questions, so that the views of critics are used to support a researcher’s own argument, and not as a substitute for that argument. It may thus be helpful for a researcher to challenge a statement by a critic instead of simply agreeing with it. If researchers make use of Internet -based sources, they should do so critically and circumspectly in full awareness of their potential unreliability.

CRITERION D: Formal Presentation This criterion assesses the extent to which the formal elements of the research paper consistently follow the APA format. This criterion refers to the extent to which the research proposal conforms to standards about the way in which academic papers should be presented. The presentation of essays that omit a bibliography or do not give references/citations for quotations along with those that reflect a disregard in applying the correct note-taking style as well as creating individual citations is deemed unacceptable (“Below Standard”). Essays in which citations omit any one of the required elements or when recurring errors are committed in the format – either in the application of notetaking styles or in the construction of the individual citations – are deemed no better than satisfactory (maximum level “Adequate”). Attached Below is a PDF file containing the Short story Bread of Sal ‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍ t by NVM Gonzalez