Instructions Please write a first draft of your research paper. Do your best to sketch out the entire paper from beginning to end and include your Works Cited page. Write with your notes and keep your
Superior Good Ok Needs work
| Inquiry Question | Question is strong well focused, and it is apparent how subsequent questions are related. Establishes significance of the inquiry. | Question is Good, but may be a bit broad or unfocused. | Question is evident, but too general or specific, not that significant or merely stereotypical. | Question is hard to determine or there is none |
| Research | Research ( at least 7-9 sources) is evident and sources are varied in terms of type and content. | Research meets criteria, but may lack depth or variety | There are not enough sources, or sources listed as Works Cited are not integrated into the essay | Sources are too few or one source is overused. |
| Evidence and Analysis | Writer fully engages with source material in order to further the inquiry. There is ample evidence and analysis. Ideas and evidence are clear and well connected. | There is clear evidence and analysis but analysis may lack depth or not be as clearly related to ideas and evidence. | Too much emphasis on summary and reporting as opposed to analysis and perspective of the writer. However, the paper is not entirely reporting | Paper is merely a report of information without analysis or interpretation. |
| Main idea | The paper is clearly saying one thing- the perspective of the writer is clear. | Main idea is clear but may lack depth or specificity | Main idea is just somewhat apparent. | There is no idea |
| Organization | Organization is clear and purposeful; writer takes care of the reader by providing context, transitions among ideas as well as within the paragraphs. Reader can follow clearly the path of inquiry. | Organization is clear and easy to follow, but may lack consistency and purpose. | Paper is hard to follow at times and needs further development. | Paper is too difficult to follow. |
| Significance | The reason why this matters is apparent. The writer makes the reader care. | It may be clear that the answer matters to the writer, but there is a lack of stake in the answer for the reader. | The significance of the idea is evident, but the writer hasn’t made the reader feel why it is important to the reader | So what question isn’t addressed. |
| Grammar Mechanics | There is substantial control over grammar and mechanics. | Very good control over grammar and mechanics with no surface errors that impede meaning. | Grammar is inconsistent at times and occasionally ruptures meaning. | Grammar is too inconsistent and ruptures meaning significantly. |
| Style/Voice | The writer has a clear voice that is present in the essay. Attention to language on the sentence level is apparent. | Style and voice is consistent and clear. May lack some finesse. | Style and voice is inconsistent or lacking. | Voice is not apparent, and no attention is paid to language. |
| Format: In- text Citations and Works Cited | Paper follows MLA or APA format with properly cited in-text citations and a correctly formatted Works Cited page. | Format followed with a few errors | Format is inconsistent | No formatting or completely wrong |
| Revision | | | | |
