Name:______

Research Paper Rubric

Point / Use of Sources / Content/Organization / Grammar/ Citations / Discussion of topic / Support of thesis
4 / The student has included 3 or more historically appropriate sources. The sources are cited in appropriate MLA format and clearly connect to the thesis / The students has included a clear introduction and theses, paper is written in Times New Roman, 12 point font, and the paper is double spaced. The thesis is supported throughout the paper. The paper is at least 3 pages in length / The student has used proper grammar throughout the paper. The student has included correct MLA in-text citations and a works cited. / The student has given correct background information about the topic. The student has clearly and fully explained the historical person or event they are writing about / The student has a clearly stated thesis and has given a sufficient amount of arguments in defense of that thesis. The arguments have been fully supported by historical research
3 / The student has included 3 sources which are historically appropriate. The sources are cited in the correct MLA format / The student has an introduction and thesis. The paper is written in Times New Roman, 12 point font, and the paper is double spaced. The paper connects to the overall thesis. The paper is three pages in length / The student has used proper grammar throughout the majority of the paper. The student has included correct MLA in-text citations and a works cited. / The student has given correct background information about the topic but has not fully or clearly explained it / The student has a clearly stated thesis and has given at least two arguments in defense of that thesis. The arguments have been moderately supported by historical research
2 / The student has included less than 3 sources, or sources are not historically appropriate. The students has attempted to use correct MLA formatting / The student has an introduction, but the thesis may not be clear. OR there is a clear thesis, however the paper is not written in the correct format. OR there is no clear connection to the thesis in the body of the paper. The paper is less than three pages / The student has numerous grammatical mistakes. OR the student has included incorrect MLA in-text citations and works cited page. / The student has a few errors in their explanation of the topic, or its relevance in history is unclear / The student has stated thesis and has given a one argument to support their thesis. The students has not supported their arguments with historical evidence.
1 / The students has used one source or has used four sources without citations / The student does not have a thesis, however the paper is written in the correct format. / The student has made many grammatical errors OR has NOT included EITHER in-text citations OR a works cited page. / The student has incorrect information or has not clearly explained their topic / The student has not supported their arguments with relevant historical data
0 / The student has not included any outside sources / The student has not included a thesis, and the paper is not written in the correct format. / The student’s essay is incomprehensible OR not effort has been made to include citations AND a works-cited page. / The student has not given any background information about their topic / The student has no arguments to defend their thesis
1 – 10% / 6 – 52% / 11 – 66% / 16 – 86%
2 – 20% / 7 – 54% / 12 – 72% / 17 – 88%
3 – 30% / 8 – 56% / 13 – 75% / 18 – 95%
4- 40% / 9 – 58% / 14 – 78% / 19 – 98%
5 – 50% / 10 – 60% / 15 – 80% / 20 – 100%