1. A B C D F % %
Assn. Rec.
Organization
Writing is logically
organized with an
introduction, body,
and conclusion. A
clear focus is
maintained;
Distinctive voice
Focused, predictable organization;
Voice generally maintained
Attempts to focus, lapses in
unity and coherence
Random focus, weak
organization
Disorganized, thought
patterns difficult to
follow.
45
Comprehensiveness
Review of topic is
comprehensive and
incorporates a variety
of sources from high
quality, peer reviewed
journals. Ideas are
well developed;
arguments are well
defended.
Review is sketchy in part.
Predictable sources; many āBā
level sources
Superficial review of issues,
mediocre scholarly and
research sources, many
secondary sources.
Arguments inconsistently
defended.
Weak awareness of
important issues and
sources, most sources are
non-scholarly or non-
research sources.
Little awareness of
important issues &
sources, excessive use of
non-scholarly/ research
sources. Ideas poorly
developed; arguments are
poorly defended.
40
Style
Rich, varied language.
Writing indicates a
sense of audience.
Effective variety in
sentence structure and
length. Avoids
cliches, jargon,
informal language,
and emotionally over-
wrought language.
Only quotes when
paraphrasing would
mean a substantial
loss of meaning.
Sophisticated writing
style
Acceptable language, predictable
sentence structures. Superior use
of language but paper could
exhibit more sophisticated/deeper
language
Unexplained or repetitious
detail. Simplistic language
and sentence structure.
Unnecessary use of quotes.
Uses jargon. Some errors in
style
Incorrect/ineffective
sentence structure.
Inappropriate wording.
Serious stylistic errors
Errors in sentence
construction interfere
with communication.
Language is too
informal/dull, uses
jargon and emotional
language. Quotes
unimportant content,
quotes excessively.
Major stylistic errors
5
Mechanics
Correct spelling,
punctuation,
capitalization. Use of
standard English and
the APA manual
Only minor errors in mechanics Several mechanical errors
that border on interfering
with communication
Errors in mechanics are
disproportionate to
length and complexity of
the paper
Errors in mechanics
seriously interfere with
communication. Writing
inappropriate for
audience.
5
APA Usage and
References
Follows APA format
including but not
limited to: use of
white bond paper, 1ā
margins, no bold or
italics, no use of
underlining for
emphasis, 10-12 point
type, no handwritten
or āwhite outā
corrections, use of WP
rather than typewriter,
correct use of
ampersands.
References cited in
text are on reference
list and vice-versa.
References are cited
per APA format in
text and on Reference
list
Very few lapses in APA format
relative to length and complexity
of paper
APA and reference errors
border on interfering with
communication
APA errors are
disproportionate to
length and complexity of
paper.
Reference errors interfere
with communication
Numerous APA errors
which interfere with
communication (see first
column)
References incomplete or
absent from Reference
list &/or text. Incorrect
APA citation
5
APA Paper Rubric
2. Grading Scale:
A+ = 98 ā 100
A = 92 - 97
A- = 91
B+ = 90
B = 84 - 89
B- = 83
C+ = 82
C = 77 - 81
C- = 76
D+ = 75
D = 71 - 74
D- = 70
F = Below 70
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