Central Aroostook Jr-Sr High School

RESEARCH PAPER RUBRIC

Student ____________________________

Teacher ______________________

Class ______________________________ Date ________________________

Criteria

Organiz
ation

4 - Exceeds

3 Meets

2 Partially Meets

1 Does Not Meet

Piece contains an
exceptional introduction,
supporting body, and
Piece may contain a weak
conclusion in the
Piece contains an
or incomplete
correct sequence and
introduction, a
introduction,
Piece lacks a logical order;
appropriate length.
supporting body, and a
supporting body, or
no clear or developed
conclusion in the correct
conclusion or lacks
beginning, middle, and/or
Paragraphs contain topic sequence and appropriate
the correct sequence or end.
and closing sentences
length.
appropriate length.
that move piece along.
Paragraphs lack topic and
Paragraphs contain topic
Some paragraphs
closing sentences that
Essays organizational and closing sentences that
may lack topic and
move piece along.
structure skillfully serves move piece along.
closing sentences.
the logic of a mature
thesis.

Content
Thesis and main ideas
may be weak or lacking
Thesis and main ideas
and/or points are few and/
are exceptionally
Thesis and main
Thesis and main ideas
or are poorly or sparely
clear and points are
ideas are clear and points lack clarity and/or only
supported, or writer
exceptionally well
are well supported with some points are supported
provides an overabundance
supported with a balance an adequate balance of
with an adequate balance
of either original analysis
of original analysis
original analysis and in- of original analysis
or research.
and in-depth research, depth research, accuracy, and in-depth research,
accuracy, and the ethical and the ethical use of
accuracy, and the ethical
Or
use of information.
information.
use of information.

Utilizes valid and

appropriate research
materials from diverse
sources as required.

Criteria

4 - Exceeds

Utilizes valid and

appropriate research
materials from diverse
sources as required.

3 Meets

Utilizes valid and

appropriate research
materials from diverse
sources as required.

2 Partially Meets

Fails to utilize valid and

appropriate research
materials from
diverse sources

1 Does Not Meet

Writer demonstrates
Writer demonstrates a
an inadequate
Writer demonstrates a
Satisfactory
understanding of purpose
lack of understanding
understanding of purpose and audience.
of purpose and
and audience.
audience
Writer chooses adequate
Writer chooses
Writer chooses
vocabulary and tone
sophisticated vocabulary
Writer chooses inadequate
appropriate vocabulary accordingly to direct
and tone.
vocabulary and tone for
and tone.
message.
the assignment.
Purpose is very clear
Purpose is clear and
Purpose is not always
and writer convincingly
Purpose is not
writer satisfactorily
clear; writer
explains, informs,
Appropriately addressed;
explains, informs,
inadequately
argues, or persuades.
key elements are missing.
argues, or persuades
explains, informs, argues,
or persuades.
Few
errors
in
spelling,
Mechani
Virtually error free in
punctuation (including
Frequent errors in
cs
Many errors in spelling,
spelling, punctuation,
punctuation of quoted
spelling, punctuation
punctuation (including
grammar, and usage;
material), grammar,
(including punctuation of
punctuation of quoted
appropriate for grade
and usage may exist
quoted material), grammar,
material), grammar,
level. This includes
but they do not affect
and usage make the piece
and usage that do affect
proper punctuation of
meaning or the flow
difficult to read and/or
meaning or flow of ideas.
any quoted material.
of ideas; appropriate for
understand.
grade level.
Overall, a partial
MLA
Overall, the correct
Overall, a limited
Virtually
error
free
demonstration of the
Format
use of MLA* format:
demonstration of the
use of MLA* format:
correct use MLA*
*APA
page set up and
correct use MLA*
page set up and
format:
introduced
pagination
format:
Grades 11 &
pagination
page set up and

typing
and
spacing
page set up and
12
typing and spacing
pagination
in-text citation:
pagination
in-text citation:
typing and spacing
content, use, and link
typing and spacing
content, use, and link
in-text citation:
to Works Cited entry
in-text citation:
to Works Cited entry
content, use, and link
Works Cited page
content, use, and link
Works Cited page
to Works Cited entry
set up
to Works Cited entry
set up
Works Cited page set
Works Cited entries
Works Cited page set
Works Cited entries
up
attributions
up
attributions
Works Cited entries
While not error free,
Works Cited entries
Work demonstrates
attributions
piece demonstrates a
attributions
an exceptional
Numerous errors
satisfactory
Frequent errors
understanding of the
demonstrate a partial
understanding and
demonstrate a lack of
MLA format for this
understanding of the
use of the MLA
understanding of the
level.
MLA format for this
format for this level.
MLA format for this level.
level.

Purpose

Writer demonstrates
an exceptional
understanding of
purpose and audience

Honest behavior is an expectation for all students & staff at Central Aroostook Jr-Sr High School. Plagiarism is not
tolerated; students are expected to understand and comply with the schools plagiarism policy.