THESE ARE THE ISSUES I CONSIDERED WHILE READING YOUR PAPER:

Introduction

Reader engaged at opening               ___ excellent     ___ good     ___ acceptable     ___ needs work

General background information leading up to specific topic accurate and appropriate

                                                       ___ excellent     ___ good     ___ acceptable     ___ needs work

More specific topic area clearly introduced and linked to general area

                                                       ___ excellent     ___ good     ___ acceptable     ___ needs work

]Research in literature review accurate, well-chosen, & explained as specifically/generally as appropriate

                                                       ___ excellent     ___ good     ___ acceptable     ___ needs work

]Literature review organized such that there is solid logic developed leading up to current study

                                                       ___ excellent     ___ good     ___ acceptable     ___ needs work

Introduce present study and how it will add to existing research literature

                                                       ___ excellent     ___ good     ___ acceptable     ___ needs work

Present predictions at conceptual level and explain logic behind predictions.

                                                       ___ excellent     ___ good     ___ acceptable     ___ needs work

Formal presentation of all hypotheses            ___ yes     ___ no

References (page)

All references from text included in reference list   ___ yes     ___ no

Perfect APA style used                                       ___ yes     ___somewhat    ___ no

Formatting

Proper margins                               ___ yes     ___ no

Double-spaced throughout                ___ yes     ___ no

Page numbers at top right                ___ yes     ___ no

Appropriate/descriptive title               ___ yes     ___ no

Sources properly referenced              ___ all  ___most     ___ some     ___ none 

Editing & Syntax

Thoughts clearly articulated      ___ excellent     ___ good     ___ acceptable     ___ needs work

Sentences grammatically correct/sound natural

                                             ___ excellent     ___ good     ___ acceptable     ___ needs work

Organization of ideas sensible ___ excellent     ___ good     ___ acceptable     ___ needs work

Spell-checked & proof-read  (automatic 1/3 grade deduction if no)    ___ yes     ___ no 

General “Overall” Criteria:

How important and meaningful does the paper seem? Was your topic explored deeply and were your ideas expressed in their full complexity?   In other words, did you take the assignment and really delve into it thoughtfully?

____  Insightful, important ideas.  I learned from reading your work. Thank you for your efforts!

____  Good, interesting, and significant. 

____  OK, but stays a bit on the surface of things.  Explore more deeply.  Question more!

____  Seems superficial.

Did the writing style help make the ideas credible and powerful?  Were the ideas organized in a compelling way?  Was the presentation interesting?   Was the paper clear?  Was it eloquent (note – being eloquent means being articulate, concise and having good “flow” in your writing.  Flowery words or emotion is not required.)? 

 ____  Eloquent; articulate, well-constructed; very clear.

____  Good in construction (e.g., grammar, spelling, etc.) but not eloquent/articulate/concise.

____  Some problems in construction (see above).

____  You need to work on this!

Automatic Deductions
Format/APA Errors Deducted
- 2%: text citations [used/format]
- 1%: font, general spacing
- 1%: double-spaced
- 1%: margins; left-justified
- 1%: page numbers, upper right
- 1%: reference page formatting
- 1%: sections labeled
- 1%: order of sections
- 1%: stapled/binder clip
Also:
- 1%: no more than one quote
- 2%: required attachments
- 2%: 6 appropriate outside sources
-1/3 grade: spell-check/proof-read
No“A”: if >3 grammar/format errors
 

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