Department of Plant Agriculture- Rubric for Term Papers

Name:___________________________ Grade:___________________________
Component	Excellent		Comments	
Thesis - subject of your paper to be proven or disproved by use of evidence and analysis.	•	clear, precise, thorough, and well-defined
•	insightful and elegantly stated
•	plausible and persuasive
•	well-proven through evidence and analysis
•	may present novel ideas	5     4     3     2     1   
5     4     3     2     1
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5     4     3     2     1		
Analysis	•	isolates and defines most pressing questions
•	identifies the scope and complexity of the issues
•	relates existing arguments to evidence supporting thesis
•	evaluates and judges evidence
•	draws conclusions that unveil deep, novel implications of the questions and issues	5     4     3     2     1
5     4     3     2     1
5     4     3     2     1

5     4     3     2     1
5     4     3     2     1		
Use of Evidence	•	evidence of strong familiarity with relevant research and concepts
•	rich use of primary and secondary sources that supports position
•	references are correctly cited
•	precise and appropriate scientific language used
•	deals convincingly with opposing evidence	5     4     3     2     1

5     4     3     2     1

5     4     3     2     1
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Organization and Structure	•	transitions between ideas are clear and smooth
•	each paragraph contains distinct units of thought and are clearly introduced
•	paragraph arrangements are logical and conducive to a persuasive argument	5     4     3     2     1
5     4     3     2     1

5     4     3     2     1		
Grammar and Style	•	all writing conventions are observed (margins, font size, spacing, citations style)
•	very few or no errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation
•	sophisticated and persuasive sentences in active voice, where possible
•	appropriate use of primary and secondary references
•	appropriate report structure with headings and sub-headings	5     4     3     2     1

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5     4     3     2     1