Grammar The essay contains no significant grammar problems The essay contains a few grammar problems: watch punctuation, verb tense, pronoun use, subject/verb agreement, spelling/usage Paper format and APA style Page numbers, name, title, and citations are on the essay; punctuation around parenthetical quotations is correct; the works cited is well done; APA format is carefully followed; the essay looks great Title and page numbers, citations usually done correctly in the essay; punctuation around parenthetical quotations is mostly correct; the works cited is quite well done; APA format is mostly, carefully followed; the essay looks pretty good

Quality of research Research materials are well chosen; are effectively quoted, are engaged analytically, and productively support the argument; where relevant, peer-reviewed sources have been used; evidence of high-level independent research Research materials are quite well chosen, generally quoted effectively, engaged analytically, and for the most part productively support the argument; where relevant, peer reviewed sources have been used; evidence of good independent research Research materials are not very well-chosen or effectively quoted, are not engaged analytically, and do not productively support the argument; peer-reviewed sources have not been used; not enough evidence exists of good, independent research R c n n a h e i

Persuasiveness in evidence and quotation The argument is well-supported with evidence from the text(s); quotations are well-chosen, not too long, and integrated effectively into sentences; quotations are engaged analytically, rather than presented as lifeless chunks of text that "show" something without clear explanation The argument is generally well supported with evidence from the text(s); quotations are quite well chosen, not too long or short, and are integrated generally effectively into sentences; for the most part, quoted material is engaged analytically, rather than presented as lifeless chunks of text that "show" something without clear explanation

Persuasiveness of argument No major logical errors; pertinent aspects of topic are carefully discussed in detail Few missed opportunities to clarify argumentation and develop details Details somewhat undeveloped; contain misreading, oversimplification, or logical leap Communicating accurate comprehension is a problem; the text contains misreadings, logical leaps Communicating accurate comprehension is a major problem; the text contains misreadings, logical leaps

Structure of the essay Paragraphs are well-linked and follow one another logically; the essay is focussed and coherent, maintaining its argument; the argument builds well from an effectively framed thesis to a conclusion; the conclusion is not repetitive Paragraphs are generally well-linked and follow one another logically; the essay is largely coherent and focussed; the argument builds quite well from an effectively framed thesis to a conclusion; the conclusion is not repetitive Paragraphs are not always well linked: the essay does not have as much consistency and coherence as it needs; the argument doesn't build well from a thesis to a conclusion; the conclusion is inconclusive

Thesis statement The essay's main idea is clearly articulated as a thesis; the thesis is complex and original; The essay's main idea is pretty clear; the thesis is original and reasonably complex, but might be overly general The essay's main idea is not very clear and may be too general; the essay’s thesis is difficult to identify The essay's main idea is not clear; the thesis is difficult to identify; the main idea is not original or complex The essay's main idea is not clear; the thesis is missing or difficult to identify; the main idea is not original or complex

A+/A/A- B+/B/B- C+/C/C- D+/D/D- F Effectiveness at the level of the sentence Sentences are clear, nicely varied, well-structured, and grammatical Minor problems appear at the level of the sentence: lack of clarity, fragments, comma splices, few logic errors Many sentences show problems: fragments, comma splices, run-on sentences; clarity is a problem Most sentences show problems: there are fragments, comma splices, run-on sentences; sentences are mostly unclear Virtually all sentences show problems: frequent fragments, comma splices, run-on sentences; sentences are unclear Effectiveness at the level of the paragraph Paragraphs are well- structured, coherent and focussed on one topic; each paragraph has a clear topic sentence Paragraphs are generally well structured and focussed on one idea; there is some tendency to go off-topic; topic sentences are not as strong as they could be Paragraphs are somewhat incoherent: not always well structured or focussed; topic sentences are needed for each paragraph Paragraphs are incoherent and not focussed; some might be too short, some too long to sustain one idea; topic sentences are needed

Close attention will be paid to spelling, proofreading, and grammar. Late assignments will be docked one point (of the total of 15) per calendar day, beginning on the due date. The paper will be graded using the APA rubric I have posted to the course website. The use of this rubric ensures that weakness in one area does not automatically harm your grade in all areas; however, it should be noted that significant problems in any one area tend to also impact the others, so make your best effort to ensure that your papers are consistent in all three areas. The mark out of 25 on this element of the project will be added to your mark out of 10 on the proposal for a total of 35% of your term grade.