IMPACT CRITERIA FOR RESEARCH PAPER

EXCELLENT

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

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

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

EXCELLENT

- title page and Works Cited page are totally accurate
- outline (or mapping page) is totally accurate throughout; includes thesis statement
- 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

- introduction, body, and conclusion is very focused, very logical, very well-organized with clear transitions between ideas and paragraphs
- length is a minimum of 3 pages and a maximum of 5 pages

GOOD

- title page and Works Cited page are mostly accurate with only a' few punctuation errors
- outline (or mapping page) is accurate but may have minor errors; includes thesis statement
- 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

- introduction, body, and conclusion is focused, logical, well-organized with clear transitions between ideas and paragraphs
- length is minimum of 3 pages and a maximum of 5 pages

FAIR

- title page and Works Cited page are accurate, but have several punctuation errors or a few problems with form
- 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
- length is 3-4 pages
 
 

IMPACT CRITERIA FOR RESEARCH PAPER

EXCELLENT

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

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

EXCELLENT

- 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

- 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

- 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

- 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

- 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

Written by
Nancy Stephen and Karen Bingert
Southern Regional High School

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