Research Paper Rubric

Format (5%)

Title Formatting (1%): Correctly formatted, capitalized, and centered.
MLA Heading (1%): Placed in the top left corner and correctly formatted.
Header (1%): Includes last name and page number in the top right corner.
Typing and Font (1%): Must be typed, double-spaced, with a 12-point standard font.
Academic Format (1%): Includes correct margins, spacing, indentation, and title indications.

Introduction (5%): Must be strong with a minimum of four sentences.
Body Paragraphs (15%): Eight strong paragraphs, each with a minimum of seven sentences.
Conclusion (5%): Strong conclusion with a minimum of four sentences.
Quotations and Citations (25%): At least two direct, integrated quotations with correct parenthetical citation per body paragraph.
Sources (25%): Minimum of seven additional sources (eight total), avoiding forbidden sources. Must include:
- Assigned novel
- Another physical book (non-ebook, Bible, dictionary, encyclopedia, or textbook)
- One non-text source
- Two primary sources
Overall Organization (10%): Strong organization, analysis, and evidence with clear, unified topics, effective transitions, clear arguments, and well-handled evidence.

Word Choice and Structure (5%): Strong, specific word choices; variety in sentence structures; good transitions; active voice; clear pronoun references; cohesive and distinctive authorial voice.
Academic Style Mastery (5%): Titles appropriately indicated, use of last names, numbers spelled out; adherence to formal standard English (no contractions, no first and second person, consistent tense).

Missing Copies: 25-point deduction for missing one of the two required copies (hard copy and editable Google or Microsoft 365 document).
MLA Works Cited and Quotations: 50-point deduction for missing a complete, correctly formatted MLA Works Cited page or correctly cited, accurate integrated quotations; missing both results in a 0.
Spelling/Grammar Errors: 0.5-point deduction per minor error; 5-point deduction per major grammatical error (e.g., sentence fragment, fused sentence/comma splice, misplaced/dangling modifier, pronoun case error, subject-verb disagreement error).
Plagiarism: Results in a 0; reminders to cite information, ideas, and paraphrases, not just direct quotations. Citation for every sentence in some paragraphs may be necessary.

Final Grade: _________________ /100

Teacher Comments: _______________________________________