25.0
pts
(Excellent
– A) Identifies and understands all of the main issues in the
question.Insightful, and thorough analysis of all the issues.

23.0
pts
(Above-Average – B) Identifies and understands most of the main issues in the question. Thorough analysis of most of the issues.

21.0
pts
(Average
– C) Identifies and understands some of the issues in the question.
Superficial analysis of some of the issues in the case.

19.0
pts
(Near-Failing – D) Identifies and understands few of the issues in question. Incomplete analysis of the issues.

17.0
pts
(Failing – F) Identifies and understands very little of the issues in the question. No analysis of the issues.

20.0
pts
(Excellent
– A) Answers to research questions are clear throughout. Connection
with class and study material goes well beyond the obvious connections
among ideas; demonstrates insight and original thinking.

18.0
pts
(Above-Average
– B) Answers to research questions present some irrelevant information
on topic etc., but very little; treatment goes beyond obvious
connections with class and study material.

16.0
pts
(Average – C) Answers to research questions are vague in places; some irrelevant or distracting information.

14.0
pts
(Near-Failing
– D) Answers to research questions are unclear and/or confusing.
Treatment is very superficial; paper may be well written but says
nothing.

12.0
pts
(Failing – F) Does not address the researchquestions. Treatment is very superficial and says very little.

20.0
pts
(Excellent
– A) Uses a logical structure appropriate to paper’s subject, purpose,
audience, thesis, and disciplinary field. Sophisticated transitional
sentences often develop one idea from the previous one or identify their
logical relations. It guides the reader through the chain of reasoning
or progression of ideas.

18.0
pts
(Above-Average
– B) Shows a logical progression of ideas and uses fairly sophisticated
transitional devices; e.g., may move from a least to a more important
idea. Some logical links may be faulty, but each paragraph clearly
relates to paper’s central idea.

16.0
pts
(Average
– C) May list ideas or arrange them randomly rather than using any
evident logical structure. May use transitions, but they are likely to
be sequential (first, second, third) rather than logic-based. While each
paragraph may relate to central idea, logic is not always clear.
Paragraphs have topic sentences but may be overly general, and
arrangement of sentences within paragraphs may lack coherence.

14.0
pts
(Near-Failing
– D) May have random organization, lacking internal paragraph coherence
and using few or inappropriate transitions. Paragraphs may lack topic
sentences or main ideas, or may be too general or too specific to be
effective. Paragraphs may not all relate to paper’s thesis.

12.0
pts
(Failing
– F) Absent of any kind of organization. Lacks paragraph topic sentence
and transitions between paragraphs. Paragraphs do not relate to the
paper’s thesis.

20.0
pts
(Excellent
– A) Excellent research into the issues with clearly documented links
to class (and/or outside) readings. Much more than the minimum required;
effort to explore topic exceeds expectations; use of primary and
secondary sources; all information meets quality criteria. Sources
interspersed with writer’s own analysis or synthesis; quotes are less
than 10% of paper; good use of summary and paraphrase; all sources are
documented; 1- 3 minor errors (such as incorrect punctuation).

18.0
pts
(Above-Average
– B) Good research and documented links to the material read. Slightly
more than the minimum required; effort to ensure breadth and depth;
possibly no primary sources; all information meets quality criteria.
Sources interspersed with writer’s own work; quotes are less than 20% of
paper; good use of summary and paraphrase; all sources are documented;
4- 6 minor errors (such as incorrect punctuation).

16.0
pts
(Average
– C) Limited research and documented links to any readings. At least
the minimum required; reasonable breadth and depth of exploration; 1-2
sources lack quality criteria (i.e., Wikipedia). 1-2 instances of
stringing source references together with little of the writer’s own
work; quotes are 25% or more of paper; 1-2 citations missing or with
major errors (ex: authors missing or incorrect).

14.0
pts
(Near-Failing
– D) Incomplete research and links to any readings. Less than the
minimum required; or providing only surface coverage; most sources lack
quality criteria. More than 2 instances of stringing source references;
quotes are 40% or more of paper; OR paper includes few references to
sources; 3-4 citations missing or with major errors.

12.0
pts
(Failing
– F) Provided no references or support of analysis. Very few sources;
no attempt to explore various points of view; all sources lack quality
criteria total. No references to sources; OR there is evidence of
plagiarism; 5 or more citations missing or with major errors.

15.0
pts
(Excellent
– A) Chooses words for their precise meaning and uses an appropriate
level of specificity. Sentence style fits audience and purpose.
Sentences clearly structured and carefully focused. Almost entirely free
of spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. Accurately use
required formatting style and proper referencing.

12.0
pts
(Above-Average
– B) Generally uses words accurately and effectively, but may be too
general. Sentences generally clear, structured, and focused, though some
may be awkward or ineffective. May contain a few errors, which may
annoy the reader but not impede understanding. Accurately use required
formatting style and proper referencing.

10.0
pts
(Average
– C) Uses relatively vague and general words, may use some
inappropriate language. Sentence’s structure generally correct, but
sentences may be wordy, unfocused, repetitive, or confusing. Usually
contains several mechanical errors, which may temporarily confuse the
reader but not impede the overall understanding. Accurately use required
formatting style and proper referencing with few exceptions.

8.0
pts
(Near-Failing
– D) Tends to being vague and abstract, or very personal and specific.
Usually contains several awkward or ungrammatical sentences; sentence
structure is simple or monotonous. Usually contains either many
mechanical errors or a few important errors that block the reader’s
understanding and ability to see connections between thoughts.
Accurately use required formatting style and proper referencing with
several exceptions.

6.0
pts
(Failing
– F) Misuse of words throughout. Awkward sentences throughout.
Difficult to attach a thought process. Poorly punctuated, misspelled
words, grammatically abusive. Fail to use required formatting style and
proper referencing.