RESEARCH PAPER ASSIGNMENT
Students will submit a thorough research paper on any worldwide active terrorist organization. APA format must be adhered with supporting references and a title page. The paper will be no less then 10 pages, but must not exceed 12 pages. This does not include title page or reference page. Please review rubric below.
CATEGORY
Unacceptable (Below Standards)
Acceptable (Meets Standards)
Good (Occasionally Exceeds)
Excellent (Exceeds Standards)
SCORE
Introduction
Does not adequately convey topic. Does not describe subtopics to be reviewed. Lacks adequate theses statement.
Conveys topic, but not key question(s). Describes subtopics to be reviewed. General theses statement.
Conveys topic and key question(s). Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed. General thesis statement.
Strong introduction of topics key question(s), terms. Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed. Specific thesis statement.
5 points
Focus & Sequencing
Little evidence material is logically organized into topic, subtopics or related to topic.
Most material clearly related to subtopic, main topic. Material may not be organized within subtopics. Attempts to provide variety of transitions
All material clearly related to subtopic, main topic and logically organized within subtopics. Clear, varied transitions linking subtopics, and main topic.
All material clearly related to subtopic, main topic. Strong organization and integration of material within subtopics. Strong transitions linking subtopics, and main topic.
15
points
Support
Few sources supporting thesis. Sources insignificant or unsubstantiated.
Sources generally acceptable but not peer-reviewed research (evidence) based.
Sources well selected to support thesis with some research in support of thesis.
Strong peer- reviewed research based support for thesis.
10
points
Conclusion
Does not summarize evidence with respect to thesis statement.
Review of key conclusions. Some integration with thesis statement. Discusses impact of researched material on topic.
Strong review of key conclusions. Strong integration with thesis statement. Discusses impact of researched material on topic.
Strong review of key conclusions. Strong integration with thesis statement. Insightful discussion of impact of the researched material on topic.
10 points
Grammar & Mechanics
Grammatical errors or spelling & punctuation substantially detract from the paper.
Very few grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors interfere with reading the paper.
Grammatical errors or spelling & punctuation are rare and do not detract from the paper.
The paper is free of grammatical errors and spelling & punctuation.
10
points
APA Style & Communication
Errors in APA style detract substantially from the paper.
Errors in APA style are noticeable. Word choice occasionally informal in tone. Writing has a few awkward or unclear passages.
Rare errors in APA style that do not detract from the paper. Scholarly style. Writing has minimal awkward of unclear passages.
No errors in APA style. Scholarly style. Writing is flowing and easy to follow.
15 points
Citations & References
Reference and citation errors detract significantly from paper.
Two references or citations missing or incorrectly written.
One reference or citations missing or incorrectly written.
All references and citations are correctly written and present.
10 points
