Section #1: Abstract
Research Paper Grading Rubric
The abstract of your research paper should effectively summarize the entire paper, and give the reader a good sense for what you will be discussing. It should be brief, but should still include a summary of each section. One great way to approach the abstract is to simply write a one-sentence summary for each section of your paper (Background, Policy Proposal, Supports, and Conclusion).
Grading Expectations:
● Abstract should be roughly 1⁄4 – 1⁄2 of a page.
● Abstract should summarize the entirety of the essay.
● Abstract should include a presentation of the central problem.
● Abstract should include a presentation of the policy/policies discussed in the essay.
● Abstract should include a presentation of the three supporting claims.
● Abstract should effectively introduce the paper’s central claim/argument.
Section #2: Contextualization/“The Problem”
For this essay, most of you did a great job of choosing a central “problem.” The contextualization section is really the only section of your essay where you are allowed to argue and discuss the “problem” in detail. In this section, you will want to introduce the reader to your central problem, and provide a couple very specific and relevant pieces of evidence. That summary should provide adequate context for your specific policy topic. It will be important for you to convey a sense of urgency regarding your issue.
Grading Expectations:
● Background should be roughly 3⁄4-1 1⁄2 pages.
● Background should include only relevant, accurate and significant pieces of evidence.
● Claims should be supported with relevant and accurate data.
● All data requires an appropriate lead-in.
● Background should provide adequate context for the policy proposal.
● Background should convey a sense of urgency regarding your chosen issue.
Economics
Section #3: Introduction
In this paragraph, you should introduce your reader to the primary policy or policies that you will be discussing. Use clear terms to introduce your policy and explain its intention. The last sentence of this paragraph should be your thesis statement in which you should outline your paper’s central claim. Remember, your paper should advocate for a solution to a chosen issue; rather than simply identifying flaws in existing policy.
Grading Expectations:
● Introduction should be 1⁄2- 3⁄4 of a page.
● Introduction should be clear, specific and argumentative.
● Introduction should summarize the three central claims.
● Introduction should introduce the reader to any policy or policies that will be discussed in
your paper.
● Introduction should address the central problem.
● Thesis statement should be clear, concise, specific and argumentative. It should clearly
state your central claim and hint at the structure of your essay.
Supports/Body Sections
Your paper will require three distinct supporting points to support your thesis statement. Try to build your argument around three clear and specific benefits to this policy. These supporting points should be clear, specific and relate back to your central argument. Data may be quoted or paraphrased; data that is quoted, should be quoted for good reason, and all quotations require a lead-in.
Grading Expectations:
● Each support should be roughly 3⁄4-1 1⁄2 pages.
● Each support should start with a clear claim sentence that relates back to your central
claim.
● Claims should be supported with relevant and accurate data.
● Data requires an appropriate lead-in.
● Data should be incorporated well, and should be logical in progression.
● Each support should provide sufficient and logical analysis of the data to support your
claims.
● Each support should include an adequate presentation of the counterclaim.
Economics
Conclusion
The conclusion section of your essay should effectively act as your concluding paragraph. In this paragraph, you should quickly reiterate your claim and summarize your findings. Finally, you should address the future implications of your proposal. What sort of results might we expect? What might this mean for our society? How does your policy proposal overall promote the general welfare? What might the unintended consequences of this proposal be?
Grading Expectations:
● Conclusion effectively reiterates your claim and summarizes your findings.
● Conclusion addresses the future implications of your proposal.
General Grading Expectations:
In addition to the guidelines outlined above, your paper should meet these general grading expectations:
● Research Paper should advocate for a solution to a chosen issue. Papers that cite “background” evidence in their supports will lose points.
● Includes a logical progression of ideas from beginning to end, to produce a logical and convincing argument.
● Creates cohesion through linking words, phrases and clauses within and between paragraphs (smooth transitions)
● Contains few, minor errors in conventions (ex. spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc).
● Paper should be written in 3rd person.
● Proper MLA format for overall paper (12 point font, Times New Roman, 1’’ Margins,
last name and page number on each page).
● Research Papers must use a minimum of 4 valid sources, including at least 1 government
source.
○ One source should be a graph, table, or figure (and placed into Appendix).
○ Parenthetical notation should be used properly (Author Last Name and the Page
Number or Title of Source).
○ Works Cited according to MLA format (in alphabetical order and with a hanging
indent on the second line)
● Every source used in this paper must be a valid source. I will remove five points per
invalid source.
○ For a source to be valid it must either be published by the government, from a
source that exists in printed form, or a source that is available on the school research databases. Students will need to email Ms. Wahler to get approval for any source that is not valid based on those criteria.
