Research Paper Writing Rubric

Research Paper Rubric                           Student Name: ___________________________

	D Beginning	C-/C Emerging	B-/C+ Developing	B+/B Proficient	A-/A Commendable	A+ Exemplary
Points Available	2.5                3               3.5            4              4.5             5              5.5             6                 7            7.5       8
Ideas Points:	c No message c No clear ideas or evidence of topic c Details are undeveloped c Questions are unanswered	c Vague, unclear c Ideas are limited, reader assembles c Details are limited, vague c Many questions are left unanswered	c Not always clear c General ideas, need guesswork c Details are vague, repeat c Some questions left unanswered	c Somewhat clear c Ideas can be inferred, drawn out c Includes some detail c Key, basic issues covered for reader	c Clear, concise c Ideas are strong and are identifiable c Details support claim c Answers many questions for reader	c Focused, clear c In-depth ideas that give direction c Carefully selected details c Answers all questions for reader
Organization Points:	c Hard to follow, needs re-reading c Many elements need reordering c No transitions, piece is choppy c No opening or closing exist in piece	c Reader frequently feels lost c Out of place elements, distracting c Hard to connect elements of piece c Opening, closing formulaic/unclear	c Reader feels lost at times c Out-of-place, not distracting elements c Transitions are missing, overdone c Opening, closing lack direction	c Readily followed with attention c Workable structure, order c Discussion holds together c Beginnings of opening, closing	c Piece is easy to  follow for reader c Sequencing promotes clarity c Transitions create coherence c Opening and closing exist in piece	c Guides reader through thinking c Thoughtful, effective sequencing c Piece is cohesive, transitions are subtle c Compelling opening and closing
Voice Points:	c No sense of writer’s “presence” c No confidence c No reader connection c Unaware of audience, purpose	c Encyclopedic or the wrong voice c Hesitant voice c Little connection with reader c Does not fit with audience, purpose	c Voice comes and goes during piece c Inconsistent c Indifferent connection to reader c Needs fit with audience, purpose	c Functional voice, sharable moments c Some confidence c Moments of connection to reader c Clearly aware of audience, purpose	c A possible “read-aloud” piece c Self-assured c Keeps readers engaged, interested c Appropriate for audience, purpose	c Engaging – a “read-aloud” piece c Authoritative c Strong voice, hard to put down c Matches purpose and audience well
Word Choice Points:	c Confusing, incorrect language c Flat or inflated, jargon, clichés, slang c No strong verbs c Modifiers are misused, distracting	c Words misused, vague, or unclear c Some inflated, flat language, jargon c Strong verbs rare c Modifiers are distracting	c Not always clear or inflated/flat c Moments of flat, inflated, language c Simplistic verbs c Restraint of modifiers needed	c Clear, generally correct word choice c Lively phrasing outweighs clichés c Balanced verbs c Modifiers may be overdone	c Clear and correct word choice c Distinct, lively phrasing dominant c Utilizes verbs c Appropriate use of modifiers	c Clear, original, precise word choice c Consistent use of distinct phrasing c Visual, energetic c Modifiers used enrich meaning
Sentence Fluency Points:	c Hard to follow, requires rereading c Little attention to sentence structure c Structure impairs meaning, content c Revision needed for reading aloud	c Slows reader, require rereading c Sentence variety is inconsistent c Problems distract reader from content c Reading aloud a challenge	c Sentence errors slow down reader c Sentences are patterned, formulaic c Problems affect readability c Reading aloud takes rehearsal	c Fairly easy to read, despite errors c Some variety of sentence structure c Strengths outweigh problems c Permits reading aloud with practice	c  Smooth, natural, errors are minimal c Varied sentence structure for clarity c Few problems, high readability c Sentences allow reading aloud	c Smooth, natural, easy on the ear c Highly varied sentence structure c No problems, high readability c Invites animated reading aloud
Conventions Points:	c Serious, frequent errors; hard to read c Reader must mentally edit text c Writer struggles, even with basics c Word-by-word editing needed	c Several errors, reading a challenge c Errors often impair readability c Conventions not under control c Line-by-line editing needed	c Noticeable, distracting errors c Errors begin to affect readability c Inconsistent use of conventions c Careful editing needed to publish	c Errors exist, little impact on clarity c Conventions support readability c Writer in control, but may make errors c Ready to publish with careful editing	c Errors minor, but no impact on clarity c Conventions support meaning c Writer in control of most conventions c Ready to publish with minor editing	c Errors minimal, inconsequential c Conventions enhance content c Writer in control of all conventions c Virtually ready for publication

IIM Research Planner attached (25 pts) ____       Rough draft attached (5 pts) _____

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