Rubric For The Evaluation Of “Understanding Islam” Paper CRITERIA NEEDS IMPROVEMENT Minimum Points SATISFACTORY Medium Points EXCEPTIONAL Maximum Points CONTENT (6 Points) Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that includes the following: · Brief summary of the history of Islam (ie. Muhammad's life, early growth and later expansion, present day). · Explain the importance of these elements for Muslims: · Qur'an · Five Pillars · Sharia Law and Islamic ethics · Describe significant differences and similarities in how the branches of Islam (Sunni, Shiite, and Sufi) practice their traditions. The writer does not demonstrate cursory understanding of subject matter, and the purpose of the paper is not stated. The objective, therefore, is not addressed and supporting materials are not correctly referenced. 0 to 2.4 points The writer demonstrates limited understanding of the subject matter in that theories are not well connected to a practical experience or appropriate examples, though the attempt to research the topic is evident, and materials are correctly referenced. 2.5 to 5.4 points The writer demonstrates an understanding of the subject matter by clearly stating the objective of the paper and links theories to practical experience. The paper includes relevant material that is correctly referenced, and this material fulfills the objective of the paper. 5.5 to 7 points Comments on Content ? of 7 points You have fulfilled all of the objectives of the assignment with this ___ word paper. You had a section on... ORGANIZATION ( 2 Points) Paragraphs do not focus around a central point, and concepts are disjointedly introduced or poorly defended (i.e., stream of consciousness). The writer struggles with limited vocabulary and has difficulty conveying meaning such that only the broadest, most general messages are presented. There is no introduction or conclusion. 0 to .5 points Topics/content could be organized in a more logical manner. Transitions from one idea to the next are often disconnected and uneven. The introduction does not give clear direction and the conclusion does not communicate what was learned. Some words, transitional phrases, and conjunctions are overused. Ideas may be overstated, and sentences with limited contribution to the subject are included. .6 to 1 points The writer focuses on ideas and concepts within paragraphs, and sentences are well-connected and meaningful. Each topic logically follows the objective. The introduction clearly states the objective or ideas leading to the purpose of the paper, and a conclusion draws the ideas together. The reading audience is correctly identified, demonstrated by appropriate language usage (i.e., avoiding jargon and simplifying complex concepts appropriately). Writing is concise, in active voice, and avoids awkward transitions and overuse of conjunctions. 1.1 to 1.5 points Comments on Organization ? of 1.5 points You do/do not have a clear organizational flow. You do/do not ...

1. Rubric For The Evaluation Of “Understanding Islam” Paper
CRITERIA
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
Minimum Points
SATISFACTORY
Medium Points
EXCEPTIONAL
Maximum Points
CONTENT
(6 Points)
Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that includes the following:
· Brief summary of the history of Islam (ie. Muhammad's life,
early growth and later expansion, present day).
· Explain the importance of these elements for Muslims:
· Qur'an
· Five Pillars
· Sharia Law and Islamic ethics
· Describe significant differences and similarities in how the
branches of Islam (Sunni, Shiite, and Sufi) practice their
traditions.
The writer does not demonstrate cursory understanding of
subject matter, and the purpose of the paper is not stated. The
objective, therefore, is not addressed and supporting materials
are not correctly referenced.
0 to 2.4 points
The writer demonstrates limited understanding of the subject
matter in that theories are not well connected to a practical
experience or appropriate examples, though the attempt to
research the topic is evident, and materials are correctly
referenced.

2. 2.5 to 5.4 points
The writer demonstrates an understanding of the subject matter
by clearly stating the objective of the paper and links theories
to practical experience. The paper includes relevant material
that is correctly referenced, and this material fulfills the
objective of the paper.
5.5 to 7 points
Comments on Content
? of 7 points
You have fulfilled all of the objectives of the assignment with
this ___ word paper. You had a section on...
ORGANIZATION
( 2 Points)
Paragraphs do not focus around a central point, and concepts are
disjointedly introduced or poorly defended (i.e., stream of
consciousness). The writer struggles with limited vocabulary
and has difficulty conveying meaning such that only the
broadest, most general messages are presented. There is no
introduction or conclusion.
0 to .5 points
Topics/content could be organized in a more logical manner.
Transitions from one idea to the next are often disconnected and
uneven. The introduction does not give clear direction and the
conclusion does not communicate what was learned.
Some words, transitional phrases, and conjunctions are
overused. Ideas may be overstated, and sentences with limited
contribution to the subject are included.
.6 to 1 points
The writer focuses on ideas and concepts within paragraphs, and
sentences are well-connected and meaningful. Each topic
logically follows the objective. The introduction clearly states
the objective or ideas leading to the purpose of the paper, and a
conclusion draws the ideas together.

3. The reading audience is correctly identified, demonstrated by
appropriate language usage (i.e., avoiding jargon and
simplifying complex concepts appropriately). Writing is
concise, in active voice, and avoids awkward transitions and
overuse of conjunctions.
1.1 to 1.5 points
Comments on Organization
? of 1.5 points
You do/do not have a clear organizational flow. You do/do not
include an introduction and conclusion which is necessary to
give direction and show that you understand the purpose and
objectives of the paper. You do/do not have clear main points
that follow the rubric. Your paragraph structure was….
Assistance on Content and Organization
For additional assistance with elements on content, please
navigate to the Center for Writing Excellence > Tutorials and
Guides section to review these documents:
· http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/688/01/ -
Understanding Writing Assignments
· Sample Outline
· http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/689/01/ - Reverse
outlining
· Automated Tool for Developing your Thesis Statement
· http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/606/01/ -
Developing paragraphs
SPELLING, GRAMMAR, FORMAT, & PUNCTUATION
(3 Points)
• Paper is double-spaced
• 12-point font size
• 1” margins (top, bottom, right, left)
• Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier font
Title page includes paper title, student name, course, due date,
and faculty name.
Intellectual property is recognized with in-text citations and a
reference page, with little emphasis on correct formatting.

4. The writer demonstrates limited understanding of formal written
language use; writing is colloquial (i.e., conforms to spoken
language). Grammar and punctuation are consistently incorrect.
Spelling errors are numerous.
The paper does not conform to APA incremental style
guidelines.
0 to .5 points
The writer occasionally uses awkward sentence construction or
overuses and/or inappropriately uses complex sentence
structure. Problems with word usage (e.g., evidence of
incorrect use of Thesaurus) and punctuation persist, often
causing difficulties with grammar.
The paper does not conform completely to APA incremental
style guidelines (e.g., margins, font, headings, headers,
citations, references, according to the APA Manual).
.6 to 1 points
The writer demonstrates correct usage of formal English
language in sentence construction. Variation in sentence
structure and word usage promotes readability. There are no
spelling, punctuation, or word usage errors.
The paper is correctly formatted to APA incremental style
guidelines (e.g., margins, font, headings, headers, citations,
references, according to the APA Manual).
1.1 to 1.5 points
Comments on Spelling, Grammar, Format, & Punctuation

5. ? of 1.5 points
Your mechanics are ___ with proper grammar, spelling and
punctuation.
You did/did not follow APA guidelines.
Assistance on Spelling, Grammar, Format, & Punctuation
For additional assistance with elements of formatting, style and
grammar – please navigate to the Center for Writing Excellence
> Tutorials and Guides section to review these documents:
· Microsoft® Tips and Tools
· Formatting Tables and Figures
· Riverpoint Writer
· Grammar Guide section on Plagiarism
· Reference and Citation Examples
· Citation Generator
· Microsoft® Word Formatting Tutorial
· Title Page Template
STUDENT’S NAME _____________________________
GRADE ____ out of __10___
ASSIGNMENT: “Understanding Islam”