Criteria

Excellent

4

Good

3

Acceptable

2

Unacceptable

1

Score

Clearly stated, demanding thesis

Strong introduction of topic’s key question(s), terms.  Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed.

Conveys topic and key question(s).  Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed. 

Conveys topic, but not key question(s).  Describes subtopics to be reviewed.

Does not adequately convey topic.  Does not describe subtopics to be reviewed.

Thorough and cogent illustration of points pertaining to thesis or argument

All material clearly related to subtopic, main topic.  Strong organization and integration of material within subtopics.  Strong transitions.

All material clearly related to subtopic, main topic and logically organized within subtopics.  Clear and varied transitions.

Most material clearly related to subtopic, main topic.  Material may not be organized within subtopics.  Attempts to provide transitions.

Little evidence material is logically organized into topic, subtopics or related to topic.  Transitions are unclear or nonexistent.

Adequate explanation of alternative theories or schools of thought

Author anticipates and successfully defuses counter-arguments; makes novel connections to outside material.

Some evidence that counter-arguments acknowledged, though perhaps not addressed.  Occasional insightful insights to outside material

May not address counter-arguments or make any outside connections.

Simplistic view of topic; no effort to grasp possible alternative views.

Appropriate conclusion which follows logically from thesis and support

Strong review of key concepts.  Strong integration with thesis statement.  Insightful discussion of impact of the research on topic.

Strong review of key concepts.  Strong integration with thesis statement.  Discusses impact of researched material on topic.

Review of key concepts.  Some integration with thesis statement.  Discusses impact of researched material on topic.

Does not summarize evidence with respect to thesis statement.  Does not discuss the impact of researched material on topic.

Consistent and appropriate use of scholarly sources, properly cited and documented

All references and citations are correctly written.

One reference or citation missing or incorrectly written.

Two references or citations missing or incorrectly written.

References and citation errors detract significantly from paper.