The following are the standards to which a paper is graded. There is a basic assumption that the formatting is correct for a research paper and that the subject is appropriate.
If you are unsure about what a research paper encompasses please go to the following web sites for help.
Research and writing for high school and college students
A guide for writing research papers based on MLA documentation
References (citations and when to use them and when you don't have to)
For help in writing an essay please click here.
Format and style should follow: the previously mentioned MLA or Turabian
Though the grading is not as rigorous as longer term papers, all papers should be written to a standard acceptable in the professional world. See the standards below for general expectations.
All papers --of any length-- are expected to have the following components:
- Word-processed or typewritten. No handwritten papers.
- Double-spacing
- Single-sided
- 10-12-point easily readable font (as Times, Times Roman or Arial)
- 1" margins
- Spell and grammar checked.
The following is what is expected for a term paper. As college life is preparation for your future in the "real world" I expect students to take themselves seriously and produce to the best of their ability. If you do not take yourself seriously, how do you expect anyone else (such as the teacher) to take you seriously?
Please study to know what the standards are for a professional paper.
| Standards | |||
| Paper Element |
Professional- Very good-
5-4 |
Good to Average
3-2 |
Poor (Not suitable for university assignment)
1-0 |
| Title | Title clear & informative. Hints at scope, approach, argument | Contains elements of scope or purpose | Title tells little about content, argument or scope of work |
| Introduction & Thesis | Establishes purpose, thesis clearly, explicitly. Objective. Captures reader's attention | Less clear. States significance but thesis buried. | Some or no indication: social, temporal & geographic limits |
| Body Content Communication | Paper effectively captures reader's attention and communicates purpose, tone and topic. | Paper is generally well written; lacking in purpose or topic | Paper poorly related purpose. Reader distracted. |
| Organization | Excellent use of language, ordered and clear links to thesis statement | Some connection to thesis statement. Some lack of clarity | Lack of care, time and effort |
| Development and analysis | Impressive depth of insight/analysis. Well developed process where author presents ideas and uses other's ideas for support. Offers opposing viewpoint. | Adequate depth. Recitation of other's ideas coherently. Issues overlooked. No opposing viewpoint. | Little or no depth or insight. Lack of understanding of material read. |
| Referencing | Wide variety of well-researched,quality sources. Few if any non-reviewed internet sources. Clear consistent use of chosen referencing system. Few formatting errors. No missing sources. | Reliance on non-academic sources. Fairly consistent use of referencing system, several errors in usage. Lacks integration | Serious problems with referencing system, or several systems being used. Plagiarism material not checked for validity |
| Conclusion | Effectively closes the paper. Ties together all elements = Effectively integrated | Adequate integration and conclusion | Weak conclusion and integration |
| Overall cohesion | Clear, readable, coherent & mature. Avoids empty & pretentious language.Avoids ambiguities-abstractions. | Readable; somewhat coherent. Uses empty language; at times ambiguous. | Poorly constructed, unreadable, very ambiguous or pretentious |
| Format & style Grammar/spelling | Grammatically and typographically superior. (No errors or 1 per page) | Grammatical and typographical error (2-3 errors per page) |
Significant grammatical and typographical errors (4+ per ) |
| Structure and transitions | Clear sentences. Variety of paragraph and sentence length. Strong clear leads. Smooth transitions | Sentences somewhat muddled with little variety in length. | Poor grammar in sentence and paragraph structure. Awkward |
| Graphics & tables, charts….format & structure | Properly placed and supplementary, Skillfully and attractively done with clear labels & descriptions | Lacking labels or descriptions. Not placed proper. Format not clear | Poorly placed. No labels or descriptions.Structure lacking |
| Overview & Presentation | Attractive and neatly presented. Effective, insightful document. Original approach and energetic | Average presentation. Interest but lacks insight. | Poorly presented. Lacks interest and not effective. |
| Total points |
Last updated:10/13/01