Midterm Essay Rubric Criteria Levels of Achievement Content (70%) Advanced 94-100% Proficient 88-93% Developing 1-87% Not present Total Content 47 to 50 points: · The question is clearly identified and retains focus throughout the paper. · Introduction provides sufficient background on the topic and previews major points. · All necessary aspects of the assignment described in the instructions are clearly identifiable. · Organization emphasizes the central theme or purpose. 44 to 46.5 points: · The question may require some clarification and/or greater prominence throughout the paper. · Introduction may not provide adequate background on the topic and preview major points. · Most necessary aspects of the assignment described in the instructions are clearly identifiable and sufficiently addressed. · Organization may not sufficiently emphasize the central theme or purpose. 1 to 43.5 points: · The question requires significant clarification and prominence throughout the paper. · Introduction may be missing or ambiguous. · Some necessary aspects of the assignment described in the instructions are clearly identifiable, but others may require clarification or development. · Organization may require significant improvement. 0 points Not present Reasoned Analysis 47 to 50 points: · Major points are stated clearly and are supported by valid evidence and logical reasoning. · Objective, reasoned analysis is employed. · Opposing viewpoints are sufficiently acknowledged and critically evaluated. · The conclusion logically derives from the paper’s ideas. An authoritative, persuasive, and statesmanlike voice is used. 44 to 46.5 points: · Most major points are stated clearly and supported by valid evidence and logical reasoning, but some points may require clarification or greater support. · Opposing viewpoints are acknowledged but may require greater evaluation. · The conclusion does not fully derive from the paper’s ideas. · Some improvements to objective tone/perspective may be required. 1 to 43.5 points: · Major points require significant clarification and scholarly support. · Opposing viewpoints are not adequately acknowledged and/or addressed. · Conclusion does not derive logically from the paper’s main ideas. · Significant improvements to objective tone/perspective are required. 0 points Not present Scholarly Support 21.25 to 22.5 points: Sources reflecting diverse viewpoints and research are employed to include at least 4 peer-reviewed scholarly resources (along with course materials/books). Source material is properly attributed. Resonates Christian world view supporting your themes throughout your writing. 19.75 to 21 points: Some improvements/ additions to quality/quantity of sources are needed using at least 2 peer-reviewed scholarly resources (along with course materials/books). Clarification of source material may be needed. Further interpretation and/or support for Christian world view needed. 1 to 19.5 points.

1. Midterm Essay Rubric
Criteria
Levels of Achievement
Content
(70%)
Advanced
94-100%
Proficient
88-93%
Developing
1-87%
Not present
Total
Content
47 to 50 points:
· The question is clearly identified and retains focus throughout
the paper.
· Introduction provides sufficient background on the topic and
previews major points.
· All necessary aspects of the assignment described in the
instructions are clearly identifiable.
· Organization emphasizes the central theme or purpose.
44 to 46.5 points:
· The question may require some clarification and/or greater
prominence throughout the paper.
· Introduction may not provide adequate background on the
topic and preview major points.
· Most necessary aspects of the assignment described in the
instructions are clearly identifiable and sufficiently addressed.
· Organization may not sufficiently emphasize the central theme
or purpose.
1 to 43.5 points:
· The question requires significant clarification and prominence

2. throughout the paper.
· Introduction may be missing or ambiguous.
· Some necessary aspects of the assignment described in the
instructions are clearly identifiable, but others may require
clarification or development.
· Organization may require significant improvement.
0 points
Not present
Reasoned Analysis
47 to 50 points:
· Major points are stated clearly and are supported by valid
evidence and logical reasoning.
· Objective, reasoned analysis is employed.
· Opposing viewpoints are sufficiently acknowledged and
critically evaluated.
· The conclusion logically derives from the paper’s ideas. An
authoritative, persuasive, and statesmanlike voice is used.
44 to 46.5 points:
· Most major points are stated clearly and supported by valid
evidence and logical reasoning, but some points may require
clarification or greater support.
· Opposing viewpoints are acknowledged but may require
greater evaluation.
· The conclusion does not fully derive from the paper’s ideas.
· Some improvements to objective tone/perspective may be
required.
1 to 43.5 points:
· Major points require significant clarification and scholarly
support.
· Opposing viewpoints are not adequately acknowledged and/or
addressed.
· Conclusion does not derive logically from the paper’s main
ideas.
· Significant improvements to objective tone/perspective are

3. required.
0 points
Not present
Scholarly Support
21.25 to 22.5 points:
Sources reflecting diverse viewpoints and research are
employed to include at least 4 peer-reviewed scholarly
resources (along with course materials/books). Source material
is properly attributed. Resonates Christian world view
supporting your themes throughout your writing.
19.75 to 21 points:
Some improvements/ additions to quality/quantity of sources are
needed using at least 2 peer-reviewed scholarly resources (along
with course materials/books). Clarification of source material
may be needed. Further interpretation and/or support for
Christian world view needed.
1 to 19.5 points:
Significant improvement of scholarly support or Christian world
view is needed. Source material may not be properly attributed.
0 points
Not present
Structure (30%)
Advanced
94-100%
Proficient
88-93%
Developing
1-88%
Not present
Total
Grammar & Spelling
20.75 to 22 points:

4. · Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed and
spelling is correct.
· Sentences are complete, clear and concise.
· Rhetorical skill is shown.
· Sentences are well constructed, with consistently strong and
varied structure.
· Sentence transitions are present and direct the flow of thought.
Paragraph transitions are present and logical, directing flow of
thought throughout the paper.
19.5 to 20.5 points:
· Paper contains minimal errors in grammar, usage, punctuation
and spelling.
· Sentences are generally complete, clear and concise.
· Rhetorical skill is shown, although a few points may require
clarification.
· Some variation in sentence structure or transitions may be
required to improve flow of discussion.
· Some paragraph transitions may require improvement.
1 to 19.25 points:
· Paper contains numerous errors in grammar, usage,
punctuation and spelling.
· Multiple sentences may be incomplete or ambiguously worded.
· Sentence transitions may be weak, insufficiently directing the
flow of thought.
0 points
Not present
Formatting
20.75 to 22 points:
· Paper is laid out effectively and uses reader-friendly aids
(e.g., section subheadings, table of contents, indices,
appendices, etc.) as appropriate.
· Text, citations and Reference page(s) follow current APA
format requirements.
· Paper is written in 12 point Times New Roman font, is double-

5. spaced, and has 1” margins.
19.5 to 20.5 points:
· Paper is generally laid out effectively and uses some reader-
friendly aids as appropriate.
· Text, citations and Reference page(s) contains minimal
inconsistencies with current APA format requirements.
· Paper may contain some inconsistencies with required font,
spacing and margin requirements.
1 to 19.25 points:
· Paper may be laid out ineffectively or may not use sufficient
reader-friendly aids as appropriate.
· Text, citations and/or Reference page(s) do not follow current
APA format requirements.
· Paper may not follow required font, spacing and margin
requirements.
0 points
Not present
Page Length
8 to 8.5 points:
Required page length of 10 pages is met. This does not include
title-page, abstract, nor reference page(s).
7.5 to 7.75 points:
Required page length was not met or exceeded required page
length of 1 page. This does not include title-page, abstract, nor
reference page(s).
1 to 7.25 points:
Page length may be significantly shorter or longer than the
requirement by 2 or more pages.
0 points
Not present
Professor Comments:

6. Total:
/175