Writing Assignment

Writing Assignments

Evaluation Criteria	Unsatisfactory 1-9 Points	Marginal 9.25 Points	Satisfactory 10 Points	Good 11-12 Points	Exemplary 12.5 Points
Student will demonstrate topical awareness and evaluation methodologies	Paper demonstrates lack of awareness of and inability to critically evaluate current Homeland Security.	Paper demonstrates limited awareness of and/or limited ability to critically evaluate current Homeland Security issues.	Paper demonstrates developing awareness of and emerging ability to critically evaluate current Homeland Security topics.	Project demonstrates a high level of awareness of and an average level of ability to critically evaluate current Homeland Security issues.	Paper demonstrates a high level of awareness of and a high level of ability to critically evaluate contemporary Homeland Security issues.
Students will be able to frame a research question.	Did not develop a research question. No identification of key concepts, synonyms, or related terms that describe the information needed.	Develops a vague research question or thesis statement. Identifies few key concepts, synonyms, or related terms that describe the information needed.	Develops a general research question or thesis statement. Identifies obvious key concepts, synonyms, or related terms that describe the information needed.	Develops a clear research question or thesis statement. Identifies key concepts, synonyms, or related terms that describe the information needed.	Develops a focused research question or thesis statement. Thoroughly identifies relevant key concepts, synonyms, and related terms that describe the information needed.
Students will understand ethical and legal issues affecting the use of information.	No understanding of issues concerning plagiarism (proper paraphrasing, quoting, and citing of information sources). Possesses no knowledge of copyright laws regarding print and online sources. Does not use APA style for citing and referencing sources.	Incomplete understanding of issues concerning plagiarism (proper paraphrasing, quoting, and citing of information sources). Possesses little knowledge of copyright laws regarding print and online sources. Minimal use of APA style for citing and referencing sources with many errors.	Basic understanding of issues concerning plagiarism (proper paraphrasing, quoting, and citing of information sources). Possesses knowledge of copyright laws regarding print and online sources. Uses APA style for citing and referencing sources with some errors.	Clear understanding of issues concerning plagiarism (proper paraphrasing, quoting, and citing of information sources). Observes copyright laws regarding print and online sources. Uses APA style for citing and referencing sources with few errors.	Thorough understanding of issues concerning plagiarism (proper paraphrasing, quoting, and citing of information sources). Consistently observes copyright laws regarding print and online sources. Consistently uses APA style for citing and referencing sources with no errors.
Students will be able to use technology to communicate information.	Paper formatting indicates little skill in word processing applications. Many errors in formatting of title page, headers, pagination, margins, headings, and/or spacing. No use of spell and grammar check, excessive errors found.	Paper formatting indicates basic skill in word processing applications. Several errors in formatting of title page, headers, pagination, margins, headings, and/or spacing. Minimal use of spell and grammar check, many errors found.	Paper formatting indicates competence with word processing applications. Some errors in formatting of title page, headers, pagination, margins, headings, and/or spacing. Use of spell and grammar check, some errors found.	Paper formatting indicates proficiency with word processing applications. Few errors in formatting of title page, headers, pagination, margins, headings, and/or spacing. Obvious use of spell and grammar check, few errors found.	Paper formatting indicates expertise with word processing applications. No errors in formatting of title page, headers, pagination, margins, headings, and spacing. Obvious use of spell and grammar check, no errors found.
Organization	No transition between paragraphs, ideas not in logical order. No structure to paragraphs.	Some transition with poor paragraph structure and some evidence of planning	Transition between most paragraphs with limited paragraph structure. Sequence is not logical.	Smooth transition between paragraph with adequate structure and sequencing of ideas.	Well developed paragraphs. Sequencing enhances ideas and meaning. Ideas focused on central theme.
Development	Does not follow the theme; contains muddled, unclear ideas.	Few ideas address central theme. Ideas ramble and are difficult to identify.	Ideas are clear. Some ideas address the central theme. Central theme is linked to the topic.	Central theme is matched to the topic, most ideas explore the central theme, clear and unified.	Ideas focus on the central theme. All ideas are clearly presented and unified.
Conventions	Multiple errors -sentence structure -capitalization -grammar -presentation -general structure	4-5 errors -sentence structure -capitalization -grammar -presentation -general structure	2-3 errors -sentence structure -capitalization -grammar -presentation -general structure	1 error -sentence structure -capitalization -grammar -presentation -general structure	No errors noted.
APA Style	Several errors in: -cover page -in text citations -reference page -general format	4-5 errors -cover page -in text citations -reference page -general format	2-3 errors -cover page -in text citations -reference page -general format	1 error -cover page -in text citations -reference page -general format	No errors noted.