Thesis Thesis is insightful; paper contains a clear sense of audience and purpose. Paper contains an awareness of audience; thesis demonstrates thought on the writers part, but may be too general. Paper is substantially below average and may be off-topic, may have no apparent thesis or a contradictory one. 5 points 3-4 points Less than (or equal to) 2 points Structure/ Organization Organization is effective and appropriate. Structure is carefully planned. Structure and organization demonstrate thought on the writers part, but may contain some weaknesses. Paper may display little or no apparent sense of organization; paper lacks development. 5 points 3-4 points Less than (or equal to) 2 points Evidence/Support Each paragraph develops the thesis with logical arguments and conclusive evidence. Evidence is interpreted and clearly connected to thesis. Evidence may not be thoroughly analyzed (over-reliance on summary of cases), or may not be clearly related to the writer’s thesis. Evidence may be inappropriate and/or off-topic; may consist of generalizations, faulty assumptions, or errors of fact. 16-20 points 8-15 points Less than (or equal to) 7 points Documentation Sources are properly and correctly documented using a consistent format. Documentation is generally adequate. Essay may fail to handle borrowed material responsibly and/or to document appropriately. 8-10 points 4-7 points Less than (or equal to) 3 points Grammar/Mechanics Paper contains evidence of careful editing and few mechanical or grammatical errors. Sources are restricted to Patterson and the cases. Paper contains relatively few grammatical/mechanical errors; papers is readable and edited. Sources are restricted to Patterson and the cases. Errors may interfere with readability or indicate problems with basic literacy or a lack of understanding of basic rules. Sources are not restricted to Patterson/cases. 8-10 points 4-7 points Less than (or equal to) 3 points ...

1. Thesis
Thesis is insightful; paper contains a
clear sense of audience and purpose.
Paper contains an awareness of
audience; thesis demonstrates
thought on the writers part, but may
be too general.
Paper is substantially below average
and may be off-topic, may have no
apparent thesis or a contradictory
one.
5 points 3-4 points Less than (or equal to) 2 points
Structure/
Organization
Organization is effective and
appropriate. Structure is carefully
planned.
Structure and organization
demonstrate thought on the writers
part, but may contain some
weaknesses.
Paper may display little or no
apparent sense of organization;
paper lacks development.

2. 5 points 3-4 points Less than (or equal to) 2 points
Evidence/Support
Each paragraph develops the thesis
with logical arguments and
conclusive evidence. Evidence is
interpreted and clearly connected to
thesis.
Evidence may not be thoroughly
analyzed (over-reliance on
summary of cases), or may not be
clearly related to the writer’s thesis.
Evidence may be inappropriate
and/or off-topic; may consist of
generalizations, faulty assumptions,
or errors of fact.
16-20 points 8-15 points Less than (or equal to) 7 points
Documentation
Sources are properly and correctly
documented using a consistent
format.
Documentation is generally
adequate.
Essay may fail to handle borrowed
material responsibly and/or to
document appropriately.
8-10 points 4-7 points Less than (or equal to) 3 points

3. Grammar/Mechanics
Paper contains evidence of careful
editing and few mechanical or
grammatical errors. Sources are
restricted to Patterson and the cases.
Paper contains relatively few
grammatical/mechanical errors;
papers is readable and edited.
Sources are restricted to Patterson
and the cases.
Errors may interfere with readability
or indicate problems with basic
literacy or a lack of understanding
of basic rules. Sources are not
restricted to Patterson/cases.
8-10 points 4-7 points Less than (or equal to) 3 points