Final Paper (3 (recommended) pages, single-spaced). Following the peer review review period, you will have the option to resubmit your paper with changes based on your peers’ comments.

Writing effectively means writing clearly and concisely, using correct grammar and spelling (especially names!). Excellent papers will meet all of the following criteria:

  1. The paper offers a clear, succinct and somewhat original (novel) (hypo)thesis (nor “report” on well-known facts that are spelled out in the textbook).
  2. The paper draws upon specific and independently researched sources.
  3. The paper needs to reflect succinct analysis (cause and effect). Independent thinking needs to be demonstrated.
  4. The paper is convincing. It is the student’s responsibility to justify all arguments, which must be backed up by relevant points or conclusions. Arguments must be supported by evidence drawn from established sources (academic journals and texts, primary sources, data). Explicit examples are needed to support a consisted line of argumentation. Examples or ideas from primary and secondary sources must be cited using footnotes (not endnotes!). Nothing ought to be assumed.
  5. The paper is well organized. It has an introduction with a (hypo)thesis (argument), it has a body supporting this thesis, and it ends with a conclusion summarizing the main points.
  6. The paper does not contain any misspelled words and grammatical errors.
  7. At least three secondary sources ( peer-reviewed scholarly texts (articles or academic/university press books) must be discussed and cited in addition to at least one primary source to support the research for this paper. Do not be discouraged by scholarly arguments contrary to your thesis argumentation, but dare to disagree with the support of your materials/findings.
  8. ALL sources must be footnoted and cited properly following the Chicago Manual of Style (Links to an external site.). All papers must have a bibliography appended. Failure to cite sources constitutes plagiarism and results in a 0.0 for the assignment. In addition, all assignments must be turned in on time

Rubric

Research Paper (1)
Research Paper (1)
Criteria Ratings Pts
THESIS

2.0 pts

Easily identifiable, plausible, novel, sophisticated, insightful, crystal clea

1.5 pts

Promising, but may be slightly unclear, or lacking insight or originality

1.0 pts

Unclear (contains vague terms), appears unoriginal, or offers relatively little that is new; provides little around which to structure the paper.

0.5 pts

Difficult to identify and may blend restatement of obvious point.

0.0 pts

Has no identifiable thesis or an utterly incompetent thesis. Shows obviously minimal lack of effort or comprehension of the assignment.
2.0 pts
STRUCTURE

2.0 pts

Evident, understandable, appropriate for thesis. Excellent transitions from point to point. Paragraphs support solid topic sentences.

1.5 pts

Generally clear and appropriate, though may wander occasionally. May have a few unclear transitions, or a few paragraphs without strong topic sentences.

1.0 pts

Generally unclear, often wanders or jumps around. Few or weak transitions, and there are many paragraphs without topic sentences.

0.5 pts

Unclear, often because thesis is weak or non-existent. Transitions confusing and unclear. Few topic sentences.

0.0 pts

No evidence structure or organization
2.0 pts
USE OF EVIDENCE

2.5 pts

Primary and secondary source information incorporated to buttress every point. Examples support thesis and fit within paragraph. Excellent integration of quoted material into sentences. Factual information is incorporated.

2.0 pts

Examples used to support most points. Some evidence does not support point or may appear where inappropriate. Quotations are integrated well into sentences. Some factual information is incorporated.

1.0 pts

Examples support some points. Quotations may be poorly integrated into sentences. There may not be a clear point. Moderate amount of factual information is incorporated.

0.25 pts

Very few or weak examples and factual information. General failure to support statements, or evidence seems to support no particular point.

0.0 pts

No attempt has been made to incorporate factual information or interpret primary and secondary sources.
2.5 pts
LOGIC AND ARGUMENTATION

2.5 pts

All ideas flow logically; the argument is identifiable, reasonable, and sound. Author anticipates and successfully defuses counter-arguments; makes novel connections which illuminate thesis

2.0 pts

Argument is clear and usually flows logically and makes sense. Some evidence that counter-arguments acknowledged, though perhaps not addressed. Occasional insightful connections to evidence are made.

1.0 pts

Logic may often fail, or the argument may often be unclear. May not address counter-arguments or make any connections with the thesis. May also contain logical contradictions.

0.25 pts

Ideas do not flow at all, usually because there is no argument to support. Simplistic view of topic, and there is no effort to grasp possible alternative views. Very little or very weak attempt to relate evidence to argument.

0.0 pts

Too incoherent to determine.
2.5 pts
MECHANICS

1.0 pts

Full Marks
Language is clearly organized. Correct word usage, punctuation, sentence structure, and grammar; correct citation of sources; minimal to no spelling errors; absolutely no run-on sentences or comma splices. Chicago Manual of Style has been consistently applied.

0.75 pts

Sentence structure and grammar strong despite occasional lapses; punctuation and citation style often used correctly. Some spelling errors and at least one run-on sentence, sentence fragment, or comma splice. Chicago Manual of Style has been fairly consistently applied.

0.5 pts

Minor problems in sentence structure and grammar. Multiple errors in punctuation, citation style, and spelling. May have several (two to five) run-on sentences, sentence fragments, and comma splices. Chicago Manual of Style has not been applied fully.

0.25 pts

Huge problems in sentence structure and grammar. Frequent major errors in citation style, punctuation, and spelling. May have many (more than five) run-on sentences, sentence fragments, and comma splices Chicago Manual of Style has been inconsistently applied.

0.0 pts

No Marks
Very difficult to understand owing to major problems in mechanics. Chicago manual of Style has not been applied.
1.0 pts
Total Points: 10.0