This rubric evaluates research essays on adherence to the topic, use of research, the thesis statement, and formatting. An A paper clearly connects the topic to an environmental crisis or issue and fully explores this connection using all 5 required sources. The thesis includes the connection, a position, and a solution or commentary. Formatting follows MLA style exactly. Lower grades are given for partial completion of these standards or poor implementation of research, thesis, or formatting.

1. UNIT 2: Research Essay Rubric
Adherence to
Assignment/Topic
30 pts
Implementation
of Research
30 pts
Thesis and
Solution
25 pts
Formatting
15 pts
A
90-100
Total
Points
There is a clear, well-
developed connection
between environment
and crisis/issue. The
writer fully explores this
connection.
All 5 required sources
are present and used
to their full potential.
The research is used
to support the main
voice, not the other
way around. In-text
citations and
quotations are
implemented correctly
and well.
The thesis
statement includes
all 3 parts (see
worksheet).
Additionally, a
solution or some
sort of commentary
on
prevention/cleanup
is present and
explored.
MLA 8
formatting in
terms of page
layout and the
Works Cited page
is followed
exactly with no
errors.
B
80-89
Total
Points
A connection between
environment and
crisis/issue is present,
and there is some page
space spent on its
development. But the
writer could go farther
in his/her
discussion/argument.
Only 3 of the required
sources are present
and/or there could
have been more effort
put into weaving
supporting voices with
the main voice (i.e.
there is choppiness,
plunking,
inconsistencies etc.)
The thesis
statement only
includes 2 parts. A
solution or
commentary is
present, but weakly
explored.
MLA 8
formatting is
used well with
only a few errors.
C
70-79
Total
Points
There is a statement of
connection, but the
writer did not spend any
time on exploring this
connection. The
connection feels merely
plopped in.
Only 2 or 1 of the
required sources are
present and/or there is
very poor
implementation.
Research feels
dropped in for the
sake of having it
there. There is no
clear strategy.
The thesis
statement only
includes 1 part.
There may or may
not be any
statement of
solution or
commentary. There
is certainly no
exportation.
MLA 8
formatting is
implemented
poorly with
several
distracting
errors.
NC
No
Credit
There is no statement of
connection, nor is there
any type of discussion on
this connection.
There is no research
used in the essay, or
the majority of the
research is plagiarized
or insufficient.
There is no clear
thesis statement in
the essay and/or
there is no
commentary toward
a solution or
preventative
measures for the
issue/crisis.
MLA 8
formatting is not
used at all and/or
there is no Works
Cited page.