This document outlines a grading rubric for an Apologetics application paper with 180 total points. It is divided into two main sections: Content (70% of the grade) and Structure (30% of the grade). The Content section evaluates the introduction, summary of the examined worldview, evaluation of the worldview, evaluation of Christianity, and defense of Christianity. The Structure section evaluates grammar/style, logical arrangement of content, and formatting. Points are awarded on an advanced, proficient, developing, or not present scale for each subsection to arrive at a total grade.

1. APOL500 Apologetics Application Paper FINAL Grading
Rubric (180 total points)
Criteria
Levels of Achievement
Content 70%
Advanced 92-100% (A)
Proficient 84-91% (B)
Developing 1-83% (< C)
Not present
Introduction
11 to 12 points
The introduction displays an advanced ability to construct a
good introduction. The introduction clearly identifies the topic
of the paper and identifies the worldview to be examined. A
clear, strong thesis is offered which makes an evaluative claim
about the topic worldview. A brief overview of the paper’s
content and structure is offered.
10 points
The introduction displays a proficient ability to construct a
good introduction. The introduction identifies the topic of the
paper and identifies the worldview to be examined. A clear
thesis is offered which makes an evaluative claim about the
topic worldview. A brief overview of the paper’s content and
structure is offered.
1 to 9 points
The introduction displays a developing ability to construct a
good introduction. The introduction identifies the worldview to
be examined. A clear thesis is offered which makes a claim
about the topic worldview. A brief overview of the paper’s
content and structure is offered.
0 points
The paper does not contain an introduction that meets
expectations.
Summary of the Worldview

2. 19 to 21 points
Content displays an advanced understanding of the worldview
categories of belief, and the ability to analyze the topic
worldview in order to apply those categories to a summary of
that worldview. Each point of summary is accurate and focused.
18 points
Content displays a proficient understanding of the worldview
categories of belief, and the ability to analyze the topic
worldview in order to apply those categories to a summary of
that worldview. Each point of summary is accurate and
generally focused.
1 to 17 points
Content displays a developing understanding of the worldview
categories of belief, and the ability to analyze the topic
worldview in order to apply those categories to a summary of
that worldview. Each point of summary is generally accurate,
with few errors.
0 points
Does not display an understanding of how to summarize the
beliefs of the worldview in terms of the categories of belief.
Evaluation of the Worldview
19 to 21 points
Content displays an advanced understanding of the evaluation
criteria, and the ability to analyze the topic worldview in order
to apply those criteria to a preliminary evaluation of that
worldview. Each point of evaluation is accurate and focused.
18 points
Content displays a proficient understanding of the evaluation
criteria, and the ability to analyze the topic worldview in order
to apply those criteria to a preliminary evaluation of that
worldview. Each point of evaluation is accurate and focused.
1 to 17 points
Content displays a developing understanding of the evaluation
criteria, and the ability to analyze the topic worldview in order
to apply those criteria to a preliminary evaluation of that
worldview. Each point of evaluation is mostly accurate and

3. focused.
0 points
Does not display an understanding of how to evaluate the
worldview using the evaluation criteria.
Evaluation of Christianity
19 to 21 points
The evaluation of Christianity is a direct parallel to the
evaluation of the topic worldview. Content displays an
advanced understanding of how to apply the evaluation criteria
to an objective and fair evaluation of the Christian worldview.
Each point of evaluation is objective, accurate, and focused.
18 points
The evaluation of Christianity is a direct parallel to the
evaluation of the topic worldview. Content displays a proficient
understanding of how to apply the evaluation criteria to an
objective and fair evaluation of the Christian worldview. Each
point of evaluation is objective, accurate, and focused.
1 to 17 points
The evaluation of Christianity is somewhat parallel to the
evaluation of the topic worldview. Content displays a
developing understanding of how to apply the evaluation
criteria to an objective and fair evaluation of the Christian
worldview. Each point of evaluation is accurate.
0 points
Does not display an understanding of how to evaluate the
Christian worldview using the evaluation criteria.
Defense of Christianity
19 to 21 points
Content displays an advanced understanding of the elements
necessary to defend Christianity, and the ability to apply
arguments and apologetic elements from the course materials to
a clear defense of Christianity. Each point of defense is clear,
concise, and focused.
18 points
Content displays a proficient understanding of the elements
necessary to defend Christianity, and the ability to apply

4. arguments and apologetic elements from the course materials to
a clear defense of Christianity. Each point of defense is clear,
concise, and focused.
1 to 17 points
Content displays a developing understanding of the elements
necessary to defend Christianity, and the ability to apply
arguments and apologetic elements from the course materials to
a clear defense of Christianity. Each point of defense is clear.
0 points
Does not display an understanding of how to apply arguments in
a defense of Christianity.
Conclusion
10 points
The paper demonstrates an advanced ability to write a proper
conclusion. The conclusion refocuses on the paper’s thesis, and
gives a clear and concise overview of how the contents of the
paper supported the thesis. The conclusion does not introduce
new arguments or content.
8 to 9 points
The paper demonstrates a proficient ability to write a proper
conclusion. The conclusion focuses mainly on the paper’s
thesis, and gives a clear overview of how the contents of the
paper supported the thesis. The conclusion does not introduce
new arguments or content.
1 to 7 points
The paper demonstrates a developing ability to write a proper
conclusion. The conclusion focuses mainly on the paper’s
thesis, and gives a clear overview of how the contents of the
paper supported the thesis. The conclusion does not introduce
new arguments or content.
0 points
A proper conclusion is not present.
Research
18 to 20 points
The paper demonstrates an advanced ability to find and use
high-quality, relevant scholarly works. The paper’s content

5. interacts with sources in a substantive, meaningful way. Sources
are used to support the paper’s argument, but are not used to
provide substance in place of the student’s own original work in
the paper.
17 points
The paper demonstrates a proficient ability to find and use high-
quality, relevant scholarly works. The paper’s content interacts
with sources in a substantive way. Sources are used to support
the paper’s argument, but are not used to provide substance in
place of the student’s own original work in the paper.
1 to 16 points
The paper demonstrates a developing ability to find and use
high-quality, relevant scholarly works. The paper’s content
interacts with sources in a substantive, meaningful way. Sources
are used mainly to support the paper’s argument, but are
generally not used to provide substance in place of the student’s
own original work in the paper.
0 points
Does not display an ability to find or interact with relevant
scholarly sources.
Structure 30%
Advanced 92-100% (A)
Proficient 84-91% (B)
Developing 1-83% (< C)
Not present
Grammar, Spelling, and Style
18 to 20 points
The paper demonstrates an advanced ability to utilize correct
grammar and spelling, and a clear style. Correct spelling and
grammar are used throughout. Content is concise, focused, and
clear. Proper terminology is used throughout.
17 points
The paper demonstrates a proficient ability to utilize correct
grammar and spelling, and a clear style. Correct spelling and
grammar are used throughout. Content is concise, focused, and
clear. Proper terminology is used throughout.

6. 1 to 16 points
The paper demonstrates a developing ability to utilize correct
grammar and spelling, and a clear style. Spelling and grammar
are mostly correct. Content clear. Proper terminology is used,
for the most part.
0 points
Grammar, spelling, and other elements of style do not meet
expectations.
Logical Arrangement
18 to 20 points
The paper demonstrates an advanced ability to arrange content
into a cohesive paper, with a clear, logical flow and smooth
transitions between ideas, paragraphs, and sections. The
arrangement of content creates a paper that is unified, coherent,
and focused on the paper’s thesis.
17 points
The paper demonstrates a proficient ability to arrange content
into a cohesive paper, with a clear, logical flow and smooth
transitions between ideas, paragraphs, and sections. The
arrangement of content creates a paper that is unified, coherent,
and focused on the paper’s thesis.
1 to 16 points
The paper demonstrates a developing ability to arrange content
into a cohesive paper, with a clear, logical flow and smooth
transitions between ideas, paragraphs, and sections. Content is
coherent, with the various elements clearly related to one
another.
0 points
The arrangement of content elements is not logical or clear.
Formatting
13 to 14 points
Formatting adheres to Turabian and School of Divinity
standards in every respect.
12 points
There are few formatting errors that do not distract the reader
from the content.

7. 1 to 11 points
There are several formatting errors that distract from the
content. There are aspects of the formatting that do not convey
a clean, neat, professional appearance.
0 points
There are a high number of formatting mistakes. The paper does
not have a professional appearance.
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