Ms. Bugasch
English 10R
Research Paper Rubric


Student Name: _
Date:
Score:

Category
Exceeds Standard (4 points)
Meets Standard
(3 points)
Nearly Meets Standard (2 points)
Does Not Meet Standard
(1 point)
No Evidence (0 points)
Score
Proper Heading
Title,
Your Name, Teacher’s Name,
Course,
Date, Neatly finished-no
errors
Evidence of 4
Evidence of 3
Evidence of 2 or less
Absent

Thesis Statement
Clearly and concisely states
the paper’s purpose in a single
sentence, which is engaging,
and thought provoking.
Clearly states the paper’s
purpose in a single sentence
States the paper’s purpose in a
single sentence.
Incomplete and/or unfocused
Absent

Introduction
The introduction is engaging, includes attention grabber, provides background information,
states the main topic and
previews the structure of the paper.
The introduction states the
main topic and previews the
structure of the paper.
The introduction states the
main topic but does not
adequately preview the
structure of the paper
There is no clear introduction
or main topic and the structure
of the paper is missing.
Absent

Bodies
Each paragraph contains a topic sentence and has thoughtful
supporting detail sentences
that develop the main idea
Each paragraph has sufficient
supporting detail sentences
that develop the main idea
Each paragraph lacks
supporting detail sentences.
Each paragraph fails to
develop the main idea.
Not applicable

Organization- Structural Development of the Idea
Writer demonstrates logical
and subtle sequencing of ideas
through well-developed
paragraphs; transitions are
used to enhance organization
Paragraph development
present but not perfected.
Logical organization;
organization of ideas not fully
developed.
No evidence of structure or
organization.
Not applicable

Conclusion
The conclusion is engaging
and restates the thesis.
The conclusion restates the
thesis.
The conclusion does not
adequately restate the thesis.
Incomplete and/or unfocused.
Absent

Mechanics
No errors in punctuation,
capitalization and spelling.
Almost no errors in
punctuation, capitalization
and spelling.
Many errors in punctuation,
capitalization and spelling.
Numerous and distracting
errors in punctuation,
capitalization and spelling.
Not applicable

Usage
No errors sentence structure
and word usage.
Almost no errors in sentence
structure and word usage.
Many errors in sentence
structure and word usage.
Numerous and distracting
errors in sentence structure
and word usage.
Not applicable

Citation
All cited works, both text and
visual, are done in the correct
format with no errors.
Some cited works, both text
and visual, are done in the
correct format.
Inconsistencies evident.
Few cited works, both text
and visual, are done in the
correct format.
No citations
Not applicable

Works Cited
Done in the correct format
with no errors. Includes more
than 5 major references (e.g.
science journal articles,
books, but no more than two
internet sites. Periodicals
available on-line are not
considered internet sites)
Done in the correct format
with few errors. . Includes 5
major references (e.g. science
journal articles, books, but no
more than two internet sites.
Periodicals available on-line
are not considered internet).
Done in the correct format
with some errors. Includes 4
major references (e.g. science
journal articles, books, but no
more than two internet sites.
Periodicals available on-line
are not considered internet).
Done in the correct format
with many errors. Includes 3
major references (e.g. science
journal articles, books, but no
more than two internet sites.
Periodicals available on-line
are not considered internet
sites.)
Absent or
the only
sites are
internet
sites.

Length
3 complete pages
Not applicable
2 and a half pages
Less than 2 pages
Not applicable

In-Text Citations
10 or more
Not applicable
8 or 9
Less than 8
No citations

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