Conc.

r Counte

Analysis evidence Selection

Use of
Evidence

intro Thesis/
Structure

Master Rubric 12th Grade Final Term Paper

10:Mastery
8:Adequate

7:Developing

Thesis is definite, arguable, clear and

answers the question.

Thesis is somewhat clear and

arguable and answers question.

Strong introduction maps out the

argument and gives thorough topical
Well organized, with coherent and fluid
progression of ideas.

Introduction maps out the

argument and gives some
Adequately organized; some
coherence/progression of ideas.

Strong and varied transitions establish

the relationships between ideas.
Thorough, appropriate and convincing
evidence supports claims; facts/details
are relevant and specific.

Adequate transitions clarify

relationships between ideas.
Adequate evidence supports
claims; includes facts and
details.

Inconsistent transitions.
Uneven, imprecise and cursory
evidence attempts to support
claims.

Obtained from multiple sources

(synthesis) and source types.
Consistently paraphrased, summarized
and directly quoted when appropriate.

Obtained from more than one

source, but references may be
Mostly paraphrased, summarized
or directly quoted when
appropriate.

Obtained from one source or

references are vague.
Improper use of paraphrasing,
summarizing or direct
quotations.

Quotes
areuse
adequately
Adequate
of some
elaborative techniques.

Quotes
alone
are
Weak orstand
uneven
useand/or
of
elaborative techniques; source
summary
or may rely on emotional appeal.

Minimal, if any, use of

elaborative techniques;
emotional appeal may
dominate.

Obvious and basic commentary.

No commentary;
summary/restatement of
ideas; misunderstanding of
prompt or text; illogical
Alternate
argument.& opposing
argument(s) are not
acknowledged.

Quotes are correctly and seamlessly

integrated
sentences.
Elaborationinto
is effective
and varied.
Interpretation of evidence is mature,
demonstrating critical thinking.
Original and insightful commentary
clearly connects evidence to thesis and
explains significance of the evidence.
Alternate & opposing argument(s) are
clearly acknowledged or addressed.
Conclusion effectively wraps up and
goes beyond restating the thesis; offers
worldly insight and/or solutions based
on content of the essay.

10:Mastery

There is adequate Interpretation

of evidence beyond the obvious.
Commentary demonstrates
critical thinking and connects
evidence to thesis.
Alternate & opposing
argument(s) are adequately
acknowledged or addressed.
Wraps up and summarizes key
points of the essay; connects to
a bigger picture.

8:Adequate

Thesis is present but unclear,

inarguable or doesnt answer
question.

6:Inadequate

Intro is brief or weak, without

Limited organization; may
demonstrate some lapses in
coherence/ progression of idea.

Alternate & opposing

argument(s) may be confusing
but are acknowledged.
Restates thesis and possibly
intro paragraph without adding
further insight and without tying
to bigger picture.

7:Developing

Tota
l

No thesis.
Introduction does not make
sense.
Poorly organized; ideas may
be randomly ordered or
have an unclear
progression.
Evidence is minimal or
irrelevant; references may
be absent or incorrectly
used.
Claims are presented as
Not paraphrased,
summarized or quoted;
claims are presented as
evidence.

x2

x2

Off topic or not present.

6:Inadequate

Tota
l

Vocab
Cited Works Format
Attributions

Skillful use of language: varied,

accurate and apt vocabulary that is
appropriate to task and audience.

Adequate but inconsistent use of

language, with generally
appropriate vocabulary.

Meaning severely obscured

by regularly flawed
vocabulary or incorrect
word choice. Inappropriate
to task/audience.
Incorrect MLA format

Heading, Header, Fonts, Spacing,

Margins, Pg #s, Details

Developing use of language, with

meaning sometimes obscured by
weak vocabulary or
inappropriate word choice.
Frequent use of slang, clichs,
MLA: Inconsistent (circle 3 +
errors)
Heading, Header, Fonts, Spacing,
Margins, Pg #s, Details

MLA: Perfect (Follows directions)

MLA: Good (circle 1-2 errors)

Heading, Header, Fonts, Spacing,

Margins, Pg #s, Details
Perfect (Follows directions)

Good (circle 1-2 errors)

Inconsistent (circle 3+ errors)

Incorrect format

Spacing, hanging indentations, margins,

alphabetical order, correct information
for each entry
In-text citations are perfect.

Spacing, hanging indentations,

margins, alphabetical order,
correct information for each
In-text citations are adequate.

Spacing, handing indentations,

margins, alphabetical order,
correct information for each
In-text citations are attempted
but are mostly incorrect.

Attributions techniques vary.

Attribution techniques vary

somewhat.

All in-text citations refer to Works Cited

page and all sources listed on Works
Cited page are referenced in the paper.

Conventions

No errors. Mastery of:

correct & varied sentence formation
punctuation, capitalization
grammar usage
spelling

Most in-text citations refer to

Works Cited page and most
sources on Works Cited page are
referenced
the paper.of:
Adequate in
command
correct & varied sentence
formation
punctuation, capitalization
grammar usage
spelling

Requirements (All or Nothing Score)

Incorrect format

No variety in attribution
techniques.
Inconsistencies between in-text
citations and Works Cited page.

*Papers with no in-text

citations will earn zero
points in this category and
will have to be redone in
order to qualify for grading.

Meaning partially obscured

by regularly flawed:

sentence formation/variety

punctuation, capitalization

grammar usage

spelling

sentence variety

Meaning severely
obscured by pervasive
errors in:

sentence
formation/variety

punctuation,
capitalization

___ Pages
___Sources
Credible Sources

Comments

Score

/150