MAJOR PAPER DESCRIPTION + RUBRIC FOR GRADING
I. PAPER 0 (Group Credit Training Paper)
--Global perspective, randomly assigned POV, randomly assigned target audience, on Death Penalty
Your group assigned POV (For/Against, as assigned): ______DUE DATE: ______
Your group assigned target audience : ______
* * * *
Paper 1 and 2 FORMAT:
TmsRmn 12 or Helvetica 12 or or Garamond 11
1 inch top, right, left, bottom margins (NOT 1.25 – default of Microsoft Word)
Pages numbered (do NOT number title page or Works Cited page)
Cover Sheet/Title page includes a)Title, b) Your name, c)Class sec#, d) Date
II. First Paper (4-6 pages)
LAST DAY TO CHANGE/LOCK TOPIC: ______DUE DATE: ______
EARLY DATE (+5 pts) ______Late date(-5pts): _____
4-6 pages, not including title page or Works Cited and worth ______% of the grade.
1) Paper must be Argumentative, with 6-10 arguments minimum/ +1 minimum counterargument/defense*
--Paper topics can be from the list of 100 topics or of the student’s choosing, narrowed to 6th level and approved.
5 sources required: minimum 1 book, remaining two sources can be magazines or websites.
--Will be checked for plagiarism. Plagiarism can lead to an instant F on the paper.
______
III. ENG102 FINAL PAPER (6-8 pgs) : requirements(different topic than 1st paper)
LAST DAY TO CHANGE/LOCK TOPIC: ______DUE DATE: ______
EARLY DATE (+5 pts) ______LAST LATE DATE: (-10 pts)______
--6-8 pages (not including cover page, works cited page, and honor code) and worth _____% of the grade
1) Paper must be Argumentative, with 10-14 arguments minimum/ + 2 minimum counterarguments/defenses*
--Paper topics can be from the list of 100 topics or of the student’s choosing, narrowed to 6th level and approved.
--8 sources required (including 3 books minimum)
--Graded more strictly than 1st paper (see first paper’s score after the slash)
--Honor Code (understand plagiarism penalties affirmation) must be signed and attached to paper.
*Paragraph with 1-2 quotes/evidence (right before the conclusion or after a related/opposite argument you are making) defending against/attacking an OPPOSITE POINT OF VIEW or counterargument (counterarguments can be opposition point of view, different view-point, limits of budget and reality, difference between ideal & practice, etc).
RUBRIC/GRADING PAPERS
SURVIVAL CHECKLIST
I. Do you have the minimum amount of sources? [minimum 5 sources/1 book for 1st paper; minimum 8 sources/3 books for 2nd paper]II. Count how many topic sentences in the paper: do you have at least the minimum amount of arguments/ topic sentences that start paragraphs?
(1st paper, 4-6 pages, NEED 6-10 topic sentences minimum)
(2nd paper, 6-8 pages, NEED 10-14 topic sentences minimum)
III. Count how many quotes in the paper: do you have at least the minimum amounts of quotes [12 minimum for 1st paper and 20 minimum for 2nd paper] and do they all have citations/give credit to sources?
(*average number of quotes 1st paper=16; 2nd paper=30)
IV. Check off and then give a score for each of the 14 rubric categories
V. Check for Penalties
I. INSTANT PENALTIES: Penalties are EXTRA/ IN ADDITION to points lost in categories below:
*if 1st paper( 4-6 pgs):less than 6 arguments: -20 pts OR 2nd paper( 6-8 pgs):less than 10 arguments: -20 pts
*if 1st paper( 4-6 pgs): less than 8 quotes: -20 pts OR 2nd paper( 6-8 pgs): less than 13 quotes: -20 pts
1) No Works Cited Page at all (-20 pts) 5) Works Cited page Not at all in MLA format: (-10 pts)
2) No Title page at all (-5 pts) 6) a source on Works Cited NEVER USED in paper (-10 pts each)
3) PLAGIARISM (instant FAIL) 7)paper topic is changed without approval (F/Zero).
4) Each source less than minimum: -10 pts 8)Each quote or paraphrase WITHOUT a citation: -3 pts
9) Each missing minimum required book: -10 pts
EXTRA CREDIT: Instructor reserves the right to give up to 5 points of extra credit for: clever/difficult topics or arguments, great improvement, particularly challenging sources used.
GRADING: Total grade for a paper = 100 points Rubric Categories (see below)
A = 100 – 90 pts B = 89-80 pts C = 79-70 pts D = 69-60 pts F= less than 60 points
___Category 1: Clarity and Strength of Thesis (0-5 pts) You cannot change your approved topic, BUT you can switch sides.
GOOD: / BAD: (lower the score if)___ thesis is interesting and exactly as approved / ___ thesis is not as approved (FAIL)
___ is underlined in paper / ___ thesis is not underlined (-5 pts)
___ shows up in the 1st or 2nd paragraph / ___ shows up After the intro
___ Category 2: Every paragraph argumentative and relevant/on Topic: 0-10 points
Each para, other than intro & conclusion, should have as topic sentences argumentative points for the thesis!
Generally, you need a minimum 2 arguments/topic sentences per page of paper (-2 for intro & conclusion)
SO: 1st paper, 4-6 pages, means 6-10 topic sentences minimum (4 pages x 2 = 8 – 2 = 6 topic sentences)
SO: 2nd paper, 6-8 pages, means 10-14 topic sentences minimum (6 pages x 2 = 12 – 2 = 10 topic sentences)
GOOD: / BAD: (lower the score if)___ Topic sentences of each paragraph DIRECTLY support/argue the thesis / ___Paras stray off topic into non-argumentative history, bkgrnd, definitions, related but off-topics or opinions. (-1 to -2 pts EACH)
___ Keeps to relevant argument points: You have one thesis – each para should argue why your thesis is true. / ___For each number of subtopics less than the minimum above, subtract -3 points
___Category 3: Paragraph size and Spelling : 0-15 pts
GOOD: / BAD: (lower the score if)___ paper clearly divided into paras that make sense / ___ if there is more than one main idea to a paragraph
___ Each paragraph TPEOEO: has point, w/ examples/quotes with citations – 2-3 supporting quotes/paraphrase w/citations / ___ huge paragraphs that could be broken down into smaller paragraphs or are badly put together
___ paragraphs flow together with some use of transition words / ___ entire para is single sentence topic sentence or quotes
___ signs of proofreading (few misspellings/less than 2 or 3) / ___ subtract 1 point PER unique spelling error
___ Category 4: Sentence, Grammar & Word Choice Problems: 0-15 pts
(subtract ½ pt per problem)
GOOD: / BAD: (lower the score if)___ sentences are clear and of varied lengths and types / ___ sentences are run-ons or awkward
__punctuation (commas and periods) are used correctly / ___ sentences use punctuations poorly or end in the wrong place; if there are sentence fragments
___ verbs and noun agree; tense is consistent;, etc / ____ if you read sentence out loud and it sounds poorly
__ words are used correctly in their meanings / ___ grammar and syntax errors, wrong word used
___Category 5: Title Page & Paper format: 0-5 points Cover page/ font and paper format
Font: 12 pt TmnsRoman, Verdana, or Garamond DOUBLE-SPACED
Margins: 1 inch (NOT 1.25 inch) for top, bottom, left, right Pages numbered (except title page & Works Cited)
TITLE PAGE: (typed) Centered: Title of your paper, your name, class section#, Date
In a bigger font than 12: -5 points;Larger than double spaced: -15 points / Each thing on the title page missing or wrong: -1 pt each
___ no page numbering -2 pts / title page/works cited has page numbering on it (-1 pts each)
___Category 6: Introduction 0-3pts Each paper should have 1-2 (rarely 3) paragraphs that introduce your thesis in an interesting way that gets the reader’s attention. Your underlined approved thesis is always in your intro!
GOOD: / BAD: (lower the score if)___intro paras w thesis (underlined)exactly as approved / ___ there is no introductory paragraph (-5 pts);
__ you put good and the right amount of quotes and paraphrases with citations in the correct paragraphs, supporting and proving each paragraph’s points / ___entire intro longer than a page or more than 3 para (-4 pts)
___ the introduction is irrelevant, feels like padding ( -2 to -5 pts)
___ intro is about a different topic than your approved thesis or introduction is poor or makes no sense ( -1 to -5 pts)
___Category 7: Conclusion 0-3pts Conclusion is the LAST paragraph of your paper, using any of the techniques talked about in class, for example, restates thesis, restates your proof; offers a what if? etc;
GOOD: / BAD: (lower the score if)___conclusion ‘sounds’ like an end to the paper / ___ there is no conclusion paragraph -3 pts and -7 pt penalty (-10)
__ offers an interesting possibility; quickly wraps up your paper; wraps up your argument based on your points / ___ conclusion more than 8 lines long: -3pt & -5pt penalty (-8pts)
___ the conclusion is irrelevant, weak, feels like padding ( -1 to -3 pts)
___Category 8: Enough (good) relevant Quotes & developed points & explanations as necessary 0-10pt You chose (usually 2) quotes/examples/details with citations, in each para, that support each paragraph’s topic sentence
GOOD: / BAD: (lower the score if)___ Mostly two direct quotes as “evidence” in paragraphs (E of TPEO) with citations.At minimum 1 quote per paragraph. Not just paraphrasing with citations, but at least 50% direct quotes. / __paragraphs are summary or poorly supported by evidence; missing the recommended two quotes/per/paragraph
___Each argumentative paragraph with only 1 quote/paraphrase: subtract ½ a point (max = -5)
First paper should have at least 12 quotes with citations
Second paper should have at least 20 quotes with citations / ___ you have more than 1 large quote (4-5 lines) which should be in block format, per 2 pages of paper OR
quotes feel like barely related cut-and-pasted text
__ you put good and the right size quotes (most quotes are 3 lines or less) and paraphrases with citations in the correct paragraphs, supporting and proving each paragraph’s points / IF 1st paper( 4-6 pgs): 10-11 quotes: -5 points
IF 1st paper( 4-6 pgs): 8-9 quotes: -10 points
If 1st paper < 8 quotes: -10 pts & PENALTIES
IF 2nd paper( 6-8 pgs): 17-19 quotes: -5 points
IF 2nd paper( 6-8 pgs): 13-16 quotes: -10 points
If 2nd paper < 13 quotes: -10 pts & PENALTIES
___Category 9: Citation Format 0-5pts Are citations in correct format and variety, inline or at the end of quotes?
GOOD: / BAD: (lower the score if)___Every quote has a citation giving credit to source
__ Citation format is correct. For example, citation is after end quotes and period is after citation, only last name of author when author available, pg number when available. Example: “quote here” (Abe 22). / ___ incorrect citation format (subtract 1 pt per TYPE of problem (for example, period is before citation, then subtract 1 point even if EVERY citation has same problem or 1 pt if quotes float alone, etc
___ For each paragraph where all quotes from same source (- ½ pt)
___Category 10: Works Cited Page/MLA Format 0-5pts Attach to back of the paper a page titled “Works Cited,” that lists, in MLA format, all sources used in the paper as citations.
GOOD: / BAD: (lower the score if)___Has minimum amount of sources (5 sources for 1st paper and 8 for 2nd paper). Has minimum amount of books (at least 1 book for 1st paper; 3 for 2nd paper). Ebooks are okay. / ___ If less than minimum amount of sources listed/used (instant -5 pts). Also see Penalties for additional points lost!
__ In MLA Format and in alphabetical order. / ___ Subtract 1 point for each thing not in MLA format
___ subtract 1 point if did not indent 2nd or later line of an entry
___Category 11: Meets Required Length (0 points but Penalties) Paper length mean last page MUST be at least ¾ down the page. For a 4-6 pg paper, 4th pg MUST go down ¾ of the pg; for a 6-8 page paper, 6th pg goes ¾ down the pg.
PENALTIES: 1st paper (4-6 pages) / PENALTIES: 2nd paper (6-8 pages)4th page ends ½ way down to ¾ way down: -3 pts
4th page ends 1st sentence to ½ way down: -10 pts
ends anywhere on page 3: -30 pts
ends anywhere on page 2: -70 pts / 6th page ends ½ way down to ¾ way down: -3 pts
6th page ends 1st sentence to ½ way down: -10 pts
ends anywhere on page 5: -30 pts
ends anywhere on page 4: -70 pts
___Category 12: Cohesiveness of the paper/Readability 0-10pts Does the paper read well? Does it feel well put together, with topic sentences, points, evidence, all in well written paragraphs?
GOOD: / BAD: (lower the score if)___paper makes sense; sounds like a single paper – not scattered; flows from point to point/ decent transitions / ___ hard to read because of lack of proofreading, spelling, grammar or sloppy bad writing
___ goes informative in parts or off topic; too much background or ‘facts’ instead of arguments; quotes feel cut-and-pasted
Category 13: Details/Good expert knowledge chosen for quotes: 0-10 pts
Paragraphs not only need to have quotes, but they must be GOOD and SPECIFIC EXAMPLES: statistics, quotes, testimonials, figures, numbers, dates, etc – not just the experiences of different people. If paper feels like it could be written off the top of someone’s, head instead of through research, then it should get a low category 13 score.
*Test for bad/little detail: If you can replace the source of a quote with “my friend says” then you have bad detail
GOOD: / BAD: (lower the score if)___ Paper feels like arguments constantly supported by well researched facts,details,&data from outside sources / ___ few or irrelevant or off topic informative/book report quotes
____ too much point and commentary around few/small quotes
__ good quotes and paraphrases with citations supporting and proving each paragraph’s points / ___ quotes feel forced or padding/paper feels poorly researched
____ one or two sources are used for more than ½ of all the quotes
Category 14: Strength of Total Arguments 0-4 points Paper as a whole has arguments, not just opinion & emotion & fallacies. Beyond intro, DOES NOT BECOME AN INFORMATIVE PAPER.