Final Exam

Writer addressed assigned topic.

Writer did not address assigned topic.

Writer’s central thesis or argument and major themes are readily apparent.

Writer’s major themes are readily apparent but central thesis or argument is not clearly stated.

Writer’s central thesis or argument or major themes are not readily apparent.

Writer’s central thesis or argument and major themes are not readily apparent.

Writer consulted more than the minimum required number of sources.

Writer consulted the minimum required number of sources.

Writer did not consult the minimum required number of sources.

Sources used are credible, authoritative, relevant and appropriate for the type of document produced.

Sources used generally are credible, authoritative, relevant and appropriate for the type of document produced.

Some sources used generally are not credible, authoritative, relevant or appropriate for the type of document produced.

Many of the resources used are not credible, authoritative, relevant or appropriate for the type of document produced.

No credible, authoritative, relevant and or appropriate sources are used.

Researched information is synthesized and integrated fluidly into a thoughtful, balanced, and in-depth analysis. Reader gains important insights.

Researched information is synthesized fairly well and integrated fairly fluidly into a generally balanced and fairly in-depth analysis. Reader gains insights.

Researched information may not be synthesized well or may not be integrated fluidly to provide reasonable support for a balanced and in-depth analysis.

Researched information displays basic synthesis and analysis.

Information is not necessary or not sufficient to support a basic analysis.

Writer’s reasons and evidence logically support the thesis or argument.

Writer’s reasons and evidence generally support the central thesis or argument logically.

Writer’s reasons and evidence generally support the central thesis or argument, with some logic lapses.

Writer’s reasons and/or evidence often do not logically support the central thesis or argument.

Writer’s reasons and evidence are not logical.

Writer presents original ideas and does not merely parrot readings presented in course or other references, or from instructor.

Writer uses own ideas, but relies heavily on readings presented in course or other references, or the instructor’s point of view.

Writer does not use own ideas and only uses readings presented in course or other references and/or the instructor as sources of information.

Writer presents few or rudimentary analysis.

Writer presents no analysis

The writer’s inductive or deductive train of thought is clear to the reader.

The writer’s inductive or deductive train of thought is generally made clear to the reader.

The reader sometimes has to strive to understand the writer’s inductive or deductive train of thought.

The reader frequently cannot understand the writer’s inductive or deductive train of thought.

The writer’s inductive or deductive train of thought is not clear to the reader.

Paper’s paragraphs and sentences are cohesive. The writer’s ideas flow smoothly from one another and are clearly linked to each other.

Paper’s paragraphs and sentences are generally cohesive. The writer’s ideas are usually clearly linked to each other.

Paper’s paragraphs and sentences sometimes aren’t cohesive. The writer’s ideas sometimes do not clearly link to each other.

Paper’s paragraphs and sentences are not cohesive. The writer’s ideas frequently do not clearly link to each other.

Paper’s paragraphs and sentences frequently do not make sense together. The writer’s ideas do not clearly link to each other.

All references are correctly cited in the body of the paper, and correctly listed in the reference list according to APA style rules.

Most of the references are correctly cited in the body of the paper, and correctly listed in the reference list according to APA style rules.

Some of the references are not correctly cited in the body of the paper, and/or not correctly listed in the reference list according to APA style rules.

Multiple/all references are not correctly cited in the body of the paper, and/or not correctly listed in the reference list according to APA style rules.

Paper does not appear to have been researched or no references are correctly cited in the body of the paper, and/or correctly listed in the reference list according to APA style rules.

The writing is compelling. It grabs the reader and sustains interest throughout.

The writing is generally engaging, with some lapses. In general, the paper is focused and keeps the reader’s attention.

The writing is dull and not engaging. Though the paper has some interesting parts, the reader finds it difficult to maintain interest.

The writing has little personality and does not sustain the reader’s interest.

Grammar, vocabulary, and mechanics reflect the level of writing expected of a college student.

Grammar, vocabulary, and mechanics generally reflect the level of writing expected of a college student.

Grammar, vocabulary, and mechanics do not reflect the level of writing expected of a college student.

Paper is written in the third person.

Paper sometimes lapses into first and/or second person.

Paper is entirely written in first and/or second person.

Document is formatted according to APA manuscript conventions.

Document is generally formatted according to APA manuscript conventions, with some lapses.

Document is not formatted according to APA manuscript conventions.

Document meets minimum word/page count, indicating it has met minimum requirements for depth and breadth of discussion.

Document does not meet the minimum word/page count needed to reflect the depth and breadth of discussion expected.

150 – 135 points = 100% – 90% = A

134 – 120 points = 89% – 80% = B

119 – 105 points = 79% – 70% = C

104 – 90 points = 69% – 60% = D

89 – 0 points = 59% – 0% = F