Rubric for Papers
Critera Excellent Good Barely Satisfactory Unsatisfactory
Thesis/Introduction
(10%)
(9-10): The opening paragraph presents a clear, specific main argument for the paper. (7-8): The opening paragraph presents the main argument for the paper, although the language used may be somewhat vague or unclear. (5-6): The opening paragraph introduces the main argument, but that argument is substantially vague and unclear. The thesis statement might simply repeat the wording of the assignment without actually making a argument. (0-4): The opening paragraph fails to introduce the main argument(s) of the paper.
Analysis
(30%)
(27-30): An accurate analysis of the assigned text, which comprehensively and thoughtfully addresses all of the questions posed by the assignment. (23-26): An accurate and mostly comprehensive analysis of the assigned text, which generally addresses all of the questions posed by the assignment. (16-22): An analysis which is mostly accurate but which may omit important aspects of the text and/or fail to address some of the questions posed by the assignment. (0-15): An incomplete and/or incoherent analysis which fails to address the questions posed by the assignment.
Evidence
(30%)
(27-30): Frequent use of relevant examples and quotations from throughout the text, all of which are documented using correctly formatted citations accompanied by page numbers. (23-26): Use of relevant examples and quotations from parts of the text, all of which are documented using correctly formatted citations accompanied by page numbers. (16-22): Infrequent use of examples or quotations from isolated parts of the text, which may not use correct citation format.  Examples and quotations may not be relevant to the topic at hand, or may be used as filler to pad the paper's length. (0-15): Little to no use of relevant examples and quotations.  No citations included to support assertions made in the paper.
Grammar/Organization
(20%)		 (19-20): Writing is thoroughly clear, well-organized, and grammatical.  The paper meets the minimum length requirements. (16-18): Writing is mostly clear, well-organized, and grammatical.  The paper meets the minimum length requirements. (11-15): Writing is unclear, disorganized, and/or ungrammatical in places.  The paper may not meet the minimum length requirements. (0-10): Writing is unclear, disorganized, and/or ungrammatical throughout.  The paper may fall well short of the minimum length requirements.
Conclusion
(10%)		 (9-10): The final paragraph of the paper clearly and succinctly recapitulates the main argument(s) of the paper. (7-8): The final paragraph of the paper generally recapitulates the main argument(s) of the paper. (5-6): The final paragraph of the paper recapitulates the main argument(s) of the paper, although the language used may be vague or unclear. (0-4): The final paragraph of the paper fails to recapitulate the main argument(s) of the paper, and may simply end abruptly.




Rubric for Research Projects

Critera Excellent Good Barely Satisfactory Unsatisfactory
Thesis/Introduction
(10%)
(9-10): The project presents a clear, specific main argument which addresses the topic and all of the included sources. (7-8): The project presents a main argument which addresses the topic and all of the included sources, although the language used may be somewhat vague or unclear. (5-6): The project presents a main argument which partially addresses the topic and the included sources,but that argument is substantially vague and unclear.  (0-4): The project does not present any main argument.
Historical Content
(50%)
(45-50): The project provides comprehensive, thoughtful analysis of a rich variety of historical information, all placed in appropriate context and backed by correctly cited primary and scholarly secondary source evidence.
 (40-44): The project provides comprehensive analysis of a solid variety of historical information, generally placed in appropriate context and backed by primary and scholarly secondary source evidence, though there may be minor issues with correct citations. (30-39): The project provides some analysis of some historical information which may not always be placed in appropriate context or backed by correctly cited primary and scholarly secondary source evidence. (0-29): Analysis of the historical information is cursory and/or incoherent and fails to provide context or evidence.
Evidence
(30%)
(27-30): All of the sources used are primary source documents and secondary sources by scholars in the field which are relevant to the topic. Full citations are included for each source. The projects cites the requested number of sources.
 (23-26): All of the sources used are primary source documents and secondary sources by scholars in the field which are generally relevant to the topic. Full citations may be missing or incomplete for some sources. The project may be missing one or two sources. (16-22):Several of the sources used are not primary source documents or are anonymous secondary sources not written by actual scholars, and some documents are not relevant to the topic theme. Full citations may be missing for the sources.The project may be missing a substantial number of sources
 (0-15): Sources are missing or are of low quality and/or not relevant to the topic. Citations are not included for the sources.
Presentation and Engagement
(20%)		 (9-10): Content is thoroughly clear, well-organized, and grammatical. The project is attractive and well-organized with images and video or audio clips to increase audience engagement
 (7-8): Content is mostly clear, well-organized, and grammatical. The project is mostly attractive and well-organized, with some images and video or audio clips to increase audience engagement. (5-6): Content is unclear, disorganized, and/or ungrammatical in places. The project is visually bland and/or poorly organized, and lacks images and video or audio clips.
 (0-4): Content is unclear, disorganized, and/or ungrammatical throughout. The project is visually bland and/or poorly organized, and and lacks images and video or audio clips.