Outstanding

Good

Fair

Unacceptable

Visual
Presen-
tation

Cover page with relevant info, including descriptive title
Section headings
Good graphics, with appropriate citations
Clean and professional looking

Cover page.
Sections headings.
Graphics included.
Professional looking.

Most relevant information present.
Some section headings, captions, or graphics used.
Looks like H.S. paper.

Dirty or ragged appearance.
Missing titles, captions, headings, name of author.
Not professional.

Abstract is proper length.
Highly informative, complete and easy to understand.
Appropriate vocabulary is used.
Abstract makes you want to read the paper.

Abstract is proper length.
Informative, complete and understandable.
Appropriate vocabulary is used.

Abstract is proper length.
Somewhat informative and understandable.

Abstract is not the proper length.
Not very informative or understandable.

Thesis is clear, easy to find, and appropriate to the assignment.
Thesis is supported by the rest of the paper.
Paper contains a "roadmap" for the reader.
There is a logical flow to the topics/arguments.
Conclusion follows clearly from the arguments presented.

Thesis is clear and appropriate. 
Thesis fairly well supported.
Paper is fairly well organized.
Conclusion follows from the rest of the paper

Thesis is fairly clear.
Inconsistent support for thesis.
Paper weakly organized.
Conclusion is acceptable.

Thesis unclear and/or inappropriate. 
Thesis not supported.
Paper is not organized.
Conclusion doesn't follow from the rest of the paper.

The evidence comes from a wide variety of valid sources.
The bibliography is complete and reflects the appropriate sources.
The evidence used reflects multiple views.

The evidence comes from many valid sources.
The bibliography is complete.
The evidence used reflects multiple views.

Valid sources are inconsistently used.
The bibliography is missing some pieces.

The evidence seldom comes from valid sources.
The bibliography is missing significant information.

Arguments are pertinent to the topic. 
Arguments are logical, and supported with evidence.
The key arguments have been made - no major points have been left out.

Arguments are pertinent to the topic.
Arguments are fairly logical and reasonably supported.
Most key arguments have been made.

Arguments are not consistently pertinent, logical or supported.
Few key arguments have been made.

Arguments not pertinent.
Arguments rarely, if at all, logical and supported.
Almost no key arguments have been made.

Interest factor

Language and style appropriate for intended audience.
Paper presents well-developed analysis and synthesis.
There is nuance, inference and subtlety to the paper.
Main points are memorable.
Readers is very engaged.

Language and style of paper appropriate.
Paper presents reasonable analysis and synthesis.
There is a little nuance, inference and subtlety.
Main points clear.
Reader is engaged.

Language and style only fair.
Less-developed analysis and synthesis.
Nuance, inference and subtlety lacking.
Main points present, not well made.

Language and style poor.
Analysis and synthesis lacking.
Main points not discernable.