Grading Criteria

Senior Thesis (Research Paper):

Grading Criteria

Content

1. Is there a sophisticated and in-depth presentation of a topic related to your career interest? _______

2. Does the writer effectively synthesize information from at least 10 sources in order to give a full discussion of the topic? _______

3. Does the writer make warranted and reasonable assertions about the authors’ arguments and philosophical beliefs? _______

4. Does the writer use elements of the sources to defend and clarify interpretations? _______

5. Does the writer thoughtfully express his own opinion about the issues? ______

6. Does the writer use interesting and appropriate details and quotations to make his/her paper more interesting, to make arguments, and to show evidence of research? _______

7. Are graphics, databases, or spreadsheets integrated into the document to support the writing? ______

Style

1. Is there good use of the writer’s own descriptive words and vivid writing (no plagiarism, sentence variety, interesting verbs, precise and clear wording, etc.)? _______

2. Are ideas organized clearly (by section, by paragraph, in logical order, using transitions, etc.)? _______

3. Is each quotation clearly introduced, explained, and reflected upon? ______

4. Is there a strong thesis statement and introductory paragraph that clearly presents the focus of the paper? _______

5. Is there a thoughtful conclusion that adds closure to the paper? ____

Language

1. Is grammar correct? _______

2. Is spelling correct? _______

3. Are quotation marks, underlining, and citation punctuation used correctly? _______

4. Is the language used formal enough for a research paper (contractions and numbers spelled out, limited use of “you” and colloquial language)? _______

Format

1. Did the author cite information and quotations correctly? _______

2. Did the author prepare a correct Works Cited page? _______

3. Are there at least 10 sources on the Works Cited page? _______

4. Is there at least one personal interview on the Works Cited page and referred to in the text? _______

5. Did the author prepare a correct title page? _______

6. Did the author choose at least 7 interesting and appropriate quotations? _______

7. Is the research paper of an appropriate length (18 pages minimum)? _______

8. Is the research paper typed and double-spaced (12 point, 1 inch margins)? _______

9. Are the title page, final draft, bibliography, and first draft enclosed in a report cover? _______