Research Paper Evaluation Criteria

written by Nancy Stephen & Karen Bingert
Southern Regional High School
http://oii.org/nsba/research.html


IMPACT CRITERIA FOR RESEARCH PAPER

Possible Points = 50

EXCELLENT (50)

Memorable - Generates and sustains interest in subject for reader, i.e. anecdote, quote, compare/contrast, etc. to create strong emotional impact
Convincing - Extensive use of credible research; fully documented
Persuasive - Compels the reader to believe writer's viewpoint and/or desired action
Unique - Totally demonstrates new way of thinking or looking at a topic
Transformative - Changes the way both the writer and the reader thinks about the subject; outstanding link between topic and other contexts

GOOD (40)

Memorable - Creates interest for reader but may not sustain it, i.e. may use above devices in introduction and paper but lacks emotional impact.
Convincing - Demonstrated use of credible research; documentation apparent
Persuasive - Proves viewpoint or states desired outcome
Unique - Demonstrates new way of thinking or looking at a topic by generating one or two new ideas
Transformative - May change the way the writer and/or the reader thinks about the subject; topic linked between subject and other contexts

FAIR (30)

Memorable - Creates some interest for reader but sustained briefly, i.e. may attempt device(s) above in introduction but not in rest of paper and lacks emotional impact
Convincing - Some use of credible research; some documentation apparent
Persuasive - May prove some points or may state desired outcome
Unique - Attempts to demonstrate new way of thinking or looking at a topic but has difficulty generating one or two new ideas
Transformative - May change the way writer and/or reader thinks about subject, but argument is not sustained; may make some links between topic and other contexts


PROCESS CRITERIA FOR RESEARCH PAPER ORGANIZATION

Possible Points = 50

EXCELLENT (50)

  1. title page and Works Cited page are totally accurate
  2. outline (or mapping page) is totally accurate throughout; includes thesis statement
  3. thesis statement
    -     very obvious to reader
    - states theme of paper clearly in the first or second paragraph
    - obviously proven throughout the paper with substantially cited evidence
    - clearly restated in conclusion to emphasize writer's viewpoint
  4. introduction, body, and conclusion is very focused, very logical, very well-organized with clear transitions between ideas and paragraphs
  5. length is a minimum of five pages and a maximum of ten pages

GOOD (40)

  1. title page and Works Cited page are mostly accurate with only a few punctuation errors
  2. outline (or mapping page) is accurate but may have minor errors; includes thesis statement
  3. thesis statement
    - obvious to reader
    - states theme of paper clearly in the first or second paragraph
    - obviously proven throughout the paper with sufficiently cited evidence
    - restated in conclusion to emphasize writer's viewpoint-
  4. introduction, body, and conclusion is focused, logical, well-organized with clear transitions between ideas and paragraphs
  5. length is minimum of five pages and a maximum of ten pages

FAIR (30)

  1. title page and Works Cited page are accurate, but have several punctuation errors or a few problems with form
  2. thesis statement
    - may not be obvious to reader
    - may not be stated in the first or second paragraph
    - proven throughout the paper with evidence that may be cited incompletely or inappropriately
    - simply restated in conclusion-introduction, body, and conclusion may have problems in focus, logic, and organization with few transitions between ideas and paragraphs; although the thesis may be proven, it is difficult to follow
  3. length does not meet requirement

IMPACT CRITERIA FOR RESEARCH PAPER

Possible Points = 50

EXCELLENT (50)

Interest - Generates interest in subject for reader through anecdote, quote, compare/contrast, interesting fact, startling statement, rhetorical question, etc. Sustains interest throughout paper by developing a clear intent from beginning through use of language that is vivid; conclusion shows a strong opinion that has been developed and supported by research.
Convincing - Extensive use of credible research; fully documented
Persuasive - Influences the reader to believe writer's viewpoint by presenting a logical argument through example, analogy, cause/effect, compare/contrast, etc.; creates strong emotional response from reader through use of convincing language; causes reader to thoroughly accept the opinion presented.
Unique - Writer demonstrates a rare interpretation of knowledge gained from research and writes it in a way that shows original thinking or a shift in perspective.
Transformative - Outstanding link between topic and other contexts that recommends areas for further study and critiques existing literature in depth.

GOOD (40)

Interest - Generates interest in subject for reader through anecdote, quote, compare/contrast, interesting fact, startling statement, rhetorical question, etc.; but can only sustain it periodically; conclusion shows opinion that is supported by research but may not be developed.
Convincing - Demonstrates use of credible research; documentation apparent.
Persuasive - Influences the reader to understand the writer's viewpoint and may change the reader's mind or may cause the reader to reconsider his/her own opinion; creates an emotional response in the reader through use of effective language.
Unique - Writer demonstrates a clear interpretation of knowledge gained from research and writes it in a way that demonstrates comprehension of ideas.
Transformative - Demonstrates a link between topic and other contexts; recommends areas for further study and/or critiques existing literature.


PROCESS CRITERIA FOR RESEARCH PAPER MECHANICS

Possible Points = 50

EXCELLENT (50)

  • demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the underlying principles of spelling, punctuation, grammar, usage
  • sentence length and style are varied
  • use of striking and precise vocabulary
  • voice fully reflects the writer' s viewpoint with thorough emotional quality to reach writer's desired effect
  • documentation and citations are without errors

VERY GOOD (45)

  • demonstrates a complete understanding of the underlying principles of spelling, punctuation, grammar, usage
  • sentence length and style are varied
  • use of appropriate and adequate vocabulary
  • voice reflects the writer's viewpoint with sound emotional quality to reach writer's desired effect
  • documentation and citations are without errors

GOOD (40)

  • demonstrates an adequate understanding of the underlying principles of spelling, punctuation, grammar, usage, i.e. very few errors
  • sentence length and style are varied but shows some repetition
  • use of appropriate and adequate vocabulary
  • voice reflects the writer's viewpoint with adequate emotional quality to reach writer's desired
  • effect but demonstrates some difficulty in expression
  • documentation and citations have minor errors

FAIR (30)

  • demonstrates a limited understanding of the underlying principles of spelling, punctuation, grammar, usage, i.e. many errors
  • sentence length and style are repetitious
  • use of simple vocabulary
  • attempts to create voice but demonstrates difficulty in expression
  • documentation and citations have frequent errors

POOR (20)

  • demonstrates no understanding of the underlying principles of spelling, punctuation, grammar, usage, i.e. so many errors that it is difficult to read paper.
  • sentence length and style are repetitious and fragmented
  • use of simple vocabulary
  • attempts to create voice but demonstrates difficulty in understanding of concept and in expression
  • documentation and citations are improperly referenced

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