Research Paper Grading Rubric
| Criteria | Levels of Achievement | |||||||
| Content | Advanced | Proficient | Developing | Not Present | Points Earned | |||
| Thesis Statement | 27 to 30 points There is a compelling thesis statement in the introduction that directly addresses the assignment prompt. | 21 to 26 points There is a general thesis statement in the introduction that addresses the assignment prompt. | 1 to 20 points There is a weak thesis statement in the introduction that may/or may not address the assignment prompt. | 0 points Not present. | ||||
| Analysis | 32 to 35 points The paper is of excellent quality, the content is focused, and there is clear direction and purpose. The content is insightful and effectively compares the Roman Emperor Commodus (and/or the state of the Roman Empire during his reign) in film with his portrayal by contemporaries and scholars. | 25 to 31 points The paper is clear but may lack a measurable amount of focus and/or a certain level of direction/purpose. The content is insightful and compares the Roman Emperor Commodus (and/or the state of the Roman Empire during his reign) in film with his portrayal by contemporaries and scholars. | 1 to 24 points The paper lacks a significant level of clarity, specificity, and/or direction of purpose. The content is not insightful and minimally compares the Roman Emperor Commodus (and/or the state of the Roman Empire during his reign) in film with his portrayal by contemporaries and scholars. | 0 points Not present. | ||||
| Evidence | 32 to 35 points The paper makes excellent use of the source material, and the sources used effectively advance the content of the paper. There are at least two primary sources and four secondary sources. | 25 to 31 points The paper makes some use of the source material, and/or the sources used moderately advance the content of the paper. There is only one primary sources and/or three secondary sources. | 1 to 24 points The paper makes little use of the source material, and/or the sources used do little to advance the content of the paper. There are no primary sources and/or only one or two secondary sources.
| 0 points Not present. | ||||
| Structure | Advanced | Proficient | Developing | Not Present | Points Earned | |||
| Mechanics | 18 to 20 points Paper is clear, organized, and free from all (or almost all) grammatical and stylistic problems. | 14 to 17 points Paper is relatively clear and organized but contains measurable grammatical and/or stylistic problems. | 1 to 13 points Paper lacks an appropriate level of clarity and/or organization, and/or there are significant grammatical and/or stylistic problems. | 0 points Not present. | ||||
| Formatting & Page Length | 18 to 20 points Length requirement is met. Paper is free of all or almost all Turabian formatting errors. | 14 to 17 points Between all and three-fourths of the length requirement is met. Paper measurable but not necessarily serious Turabian formatting errors. | 1 to 13 points Less than three-fourths of the length requirement is met. Paper has significant Turabian formatting errors. | 0 points Not present. | ||||
| Total | /140 | |||||||
| Instructor’s Comments: | ||||||||