Learning Goal… students will understand how the final product, the research essay will be evaluated, specifically in the four different streams, knowledge and understanding, thinking and inquiry, application and communication.
Senior Social Science Research Essay Rubric
/120
Category / Below 12 3 4 / Level 1
5.2 5.5 5.8 / Level 2
6.2 6.5 6.8 / Level 3
7.2 7.5 7.8 / Level 4
8.5 9 9.5
knowledge understanding
/30
content / The writer does not show an understanding of the topic or material / Writer shows limited understanding of the subject, concepts, theories and issues related to the topic
The essay is lacking in information and detail / Writer shows some understanding of subject, concepts, theories and issues related to the topic
but lacks depth needed
Quantity of information included could be better / Writer shows a good understanding of the subject, concepts, theories and issues related to the topic
Good breadth of information used / Writer shows an excellent understanding of the subject, concepts, theories and issues related to the topic
Excellent breadth of information included
thinking inquiry
/30
research
analysis / Student has not successfully researched the essay
Sources not used
Analysis lacking / Student used a limited range of sources which lack
relevance
quality
depth
balance
Different sources not used throughout the paper
The student shows a limited ability to analyze the information from the source(s)
Limited or no conclusions drawn from the material / Student gathered information from a limited range of sources and the effort to select quality sources could be improved
The sources are not really integrated throughout the paper
The student shows some ability to analyze the information but only on the surface
Some conclusions drawn from the material / Student has gathered information for a variety of relevant electronic and print sources
These sources were integrated somewhat throughout
Good effort to analyze the information in depth and draw appropriate conclusions / Student has gathered information from a variety of quality electronic and print sources which are clearly relevant,balanced and include critical readings relating to the thesis
Primary sources are included if relevant
These sources were integrated in a comprehensive manner throughout
Student carefully analyzed the information and drew in depth, appropriate and highly evolved conclusions
application
/15
organization
essay construction
/15
application of APA style / Essay construction is not correct
The paper does not include an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion
The spacing is incorrect
Pagination is missing
Missing title page
Missing reference page
Missing in-text citations / Essay construction needs a lot of work Introduction is missing; definitions, an intro of some of the content to be covered and a thesis
Body paragraphs too short and are too few
Conclusion is either missing or fails to restate the info covered in the paper and the thesis
Spacing is incorrect + extra space incorrectly included between paragraphs
Pagination incorrect or missing
Title page is not in the APA format
Reference page is not in the APA format
In-text citations incorrect / Essay construction needs some work
Introduction includes some of but not all; definitions, an intro of the content to be covered and a thesis
Body paragraphs need work
Conclusion somewhat restates the info covered in the paper and the thesis
Spacing needs work (extra space incorrectly included between paragraphs)
Pagination incorrect
Title page has some APA components
Reference page has some APA components
Use of in-text citations with errors / Correct essay construction Well written introduction; including some definitions, an intro of some of the content to be covered and a thesis
Body paragraphs
Conclusion which restates the info covered in the paper and the thesis
Double spaced mostly (extra space incorrectly included between paragraphs) some pagination used correct margins or font used
Mostly correct APA title page
Mostly correct APA reference page
Use of in-text citations with minor errors (punctuation) / Excellent essay construction Very well written introduction; including definitions, a clear intro of content to be covered and a clear thesis
Obvious body paragraphs
Conclusion which eloquently restates the info covered in the paper and reinforces the thesis
Double spaced properly paginated essay with correct margins and font
Correct APA title page
Correct APA reference page
Correct use of in-text citations throughout
communication
/30
writing / Paper is unclear and difficult to follow
Writing is not appropriate for grade level
There are an unacceptable number of spelling and grammar errors
Paragraphs are not used / Paper has problems with clarity, is confusing and hard to follow
A lot of spelling errors
A lot of grammardifficulties
Serious problems with paragraph structure
Sentences are wordy or awkward
Incorrect tense used
Student uses I, we, our, you throughout the paper
Vocabulary is very basic and excessive slang is used
language is too informal throughout / Paper has some clarity but is a little hard to follow
Some spelling errors
Some grammardifficulties
Some problems with paragraph structure
Transitions are not evident
Sentences can be wordy or awkward at times
Correct tense and person are sometimes used
Vocabulary is acceptable but slang is used
Language is somewhat informal / Paper is written clearly
Mostly proper spelling
Mostly proper grammar
Successful paragraph structure
Some transitions used
Sentence variety evident
Correct tense and person are mostly maintained
Vocabulary is suitable and diction is appropriate / Paper is written clearly and concisely
Proper spelling
Proper grammar
Strong paragraph structure
Transitional sentences
Nice flow
Excellent sentence variety evident
Correct tense and person are used throughout
Excellent vocabulary and advance diction
APA ESSAYCHECKLIST (if you have items checked off that means there were problems)
Your title page APA format needs tweaking check the template and samples and addresses the following…
2.5 cm or 1 inch margins on all four sides
You need a page # 1 on the right side of the header
Check the running head it should look like this… Running head: TITLE IN CAPS 1
Use Times New Roman or Courier 12 point regular font
Essay Title 2/3rds down centred is capitalized… Cap Letters at the Start of Most Words
Double spaced and centred…. Student Name comes next followed by your school name…Fenelon Falls Secondary School
Do not include pictures
Do not add a border
Do not include the course code
Do not include the teacher name
Page 2 of your essay
The header is different on this and all the rest of the pages (click on Different First Page in Header Tools) … TITLE IN CAPS
The title of the essay in regular Cap Letters at the Start of Most Words needs to be centred at the top of the page
Any references using your own words need to be cited using in text citations (Author, Year).
Any direct quotes need to be cited using in text citations that include a page or paragraph # (Author, Year, p#).
Reference page APA format needs tweaking check the hand-out samples and address the following…
The title is References not Works Cited or Bibliography
All authors on this page are cited in text in the essay
Authors are listed in alphabetical order by Last name
Include all authors
If there is no author use the name of the hosting organization
Double space the entries and don’t include any extra spaces between entries
Use a hanging indent… 2nd 3rd and 4th lines for any single source are each indented
Title of the article or book only has the first word capitalized. Ex… I am the greatest
Include the URL if using a website and DOI if available
Include the publisher name and city if using a book
Don’t just use the URL
In text citations…
You did not use in text citations, shown in the samples and lessons. THIS RESULTS IN AZERO… IT IS PLAGIARISM. YOU NEED TO RESUBMIT your essay with some in text citations.
You used too few, and need to acknowledge more use of sources for information
Your in text citations were incorrect – do not include the author’s first name
Your in text citations were incorrect – do not include the URL
No reference page. THIS RESULTS IN A ZERO… IT IS CONSIDERED PLAGIARISM. YOU NEED TO RESUBMIT
your essay with an accurate reference page.
Writing style and communication
Use spell check grammar check and thesaurus more often – see corrections directly on paper.
The writing was too informal, needs to sound more academic – see if you can find examples of this in your paper.
Strengths…
______
Weaknesses and Suggestions for Improvement….
______
H:\HSB4U CHALLENGE & CHANGE IN SOCIETY\Independent Study\Senior Social Science Research Essay Rubric.doc