A

100-85%

Good to Excellent

B

84-70%

Needs some improvement

C

69-60%

Needs More Improvement

D-F

59-0%

Major Problems

Comments

Requirements (70 pts)

70-60

59-49

48-42

41-0

Does the paper have at least 1500 words, not counting the bibliography?

Yes

(paper is graded)

No

(Paper is give a grade of Zero)

university requirement

Is the paper double-spaced with a 12-point font?

Yes (5)

No (0)

formatting

Are there three references other than course texts and web sites?

Yes (20)

No

Deduct 20 points

course requirement

Is there one photocopied page from each (non-text or non-web) reference used? Copy must show title and have some relevant content.

Yes (10)

No (0)

course requirement

Are direct quotes less than 150 words in total?

Yes (10)

No (0)

Modest excess loses 10 pts. Egregious quoting can cause loss of all points in paper.

Are sources properly cited in a uniform way?

Yes (5)

No (0)

formatting

Is there a properly formatted Bibliography? Are all references used?

Yes (20)

No

Deduct 20 points

course requirement

Spelling and Grammar (20 points, -1 each error)

20-17

16-13

12-11

10-0

Error Count:

Spelling errors

Grammatical errors

Content and Logic (70 points)

70-60

59-49

48-42

41-0

Introduction: Were the critical (Pro and Con) claims addressed? Was the thesis of the author provided?(20)

20-17

Good list of critical claims. The thesis was made clear.

16.9-14

13.9-12

11.9-0

Cluttered and irrelevant

Body: Was evidence for the claims (pro and/or con) presented? (20)

20-17

Evidence was provided

16.9-14

13.9-12

11.9-0

Only gave opinions.

Body: Were good arguments used? Did the author use Critical Thinking to analyze these arguments? (20)

20-17

Fuzzy thinking exposed!

16.9-14

13.9-12

11.9-0

No baloney detected

Conclusion: Did the author use Critical Thinking to make a compelling case? (10)

10-8.5

Compelling case is made.

8.4-7

6.9-6.0

5.9-0

Wishy-washy.