Argument Paper Rubric

Rubric for your Argument/ Research Paper DUE DATE: SEPTEMBER 20/23, 2013





Familiarize yourself with this rubric, as your grade will be derived from it.

Name _________________________________________ Period _____ Date turned in_____________________
1. Paper is typed, 14 font, Times New Roman, doubled spaced, complete with students’s name, date, teacher’s name, class, period. There should be no extra spaces between paragraphs. ( I will not accept a paper that is not typed.) 10

2. Introduction has an effective and appropriate attention-getting device and a carefully prepared thesis statement or claim, placed in the position of power, at the end of the first paragraph. 40

3. Paper has a logical organization. All sentences belong in their paragraphs. 20

4. Sentence structure is sound and varied. 20

5. Transitions connect the paragraphs. The reader is led gently into the next idea without whiplash. 20

6. Paper contains few or no mechanical errors, such as punctuation, spelling, grammar and usage. 20

7. Any quotations used are woven seamlessly into the paper, not awkwardly plunked in, as if they’ve fallen from the sky . 20

8. Your paper concludes with a thoughtful, enduring understanding that was a logical outgrowth of your research. Your conclusion should reflect your initial claim, but it should not be a carbon copy. Don’t announce that your are concluding. Simply conclude. 20

9. You have established a rational, objective tone and displayed logical reasoning. Your paper should address possible counterclaims in a fair manner. 20

10. Your Work Cited page is absolutely perfect in MLA style. Refer to http://owl.english.purdue.edu to verify. This page must be precise. I will be very picky on this. Be sure to use a variety of credible sources, both print and electronic databases. (At least three different sources) 60

11. You have accurate parenthetical documentation throughout the entire paper. You have followed the guidelines given to you on http://owl.english.purdue.edu. You have given credit where credit is due. You have not plagiarized another’s work. You have cited your sources accurately.


***** I WILL NOT ACCEPT A PAPER WITHOUT IN-TEXT CITATIONS****** 70
12. You have included copies of ALL your sources, the actual articles, as well as the publishing information. *****I will not accept a paper without this.*********Please highlight the appropriate sections. Be sure you use MLA style. 40

13. You have included an outline. This can be informal, even hand-written. 10

14. You have attached this form with your own calculations of what grade you think you deserve, filled out in its entirety. 10

15. You have read your paper aloud to a family member. 20


Total 400

The Chosen Summer Assignment: DUE BY OCTOBER 28, 2013

April 23, 2013

Dear Future Junior Honors English Students:

As the school year is coming to a close, it is almost time to start thinking about summer.

Picture yourself in the backyard hammock. The birds are singing. You are sipping a

lemonade, and you are reading a great book. My hope for you is that you have already

selected a few good books that are on your personal line-up, waiting on your night stand,

ready to offer you a vicarious adventure.

By way of assignment, I would like to offer you the opportunity to read a really good book. It is

not long, but it will keep your newly acquired analysis skills sharp. Please read The Chosen by

Chaim Potok, and do the following activities:

1. Make a vocabulary list of at least twenty words from the book. Include definitions. Choose

words that you think will provide a bit of a challenge to you and other classmates. Then create a

brief vocabulary quiz, using all the words from your list.

2. For each chapter, select two lines that you think are particularly meaningful. They may speak

to character development or offer other insight about the story. Briefly tell why you think each

line is significant.

3. Type a one half page journal response to the book when you have finished it. You may

include what you believe to be the theme of the book, your response to passages that were

particularly powerful to you, and any possible personal connections you had with any of the

characters or the events of the story. Please double space, and use 14 font, Times New Roman.

Please avoid any Sparknotes-type website. I would not want to rob you of your own

experience with the text. This is very important. If you are unsure about plot, or you have

questions about characters, you may discuss the matter with another student or family member, but

do not go to the web.

I look forward to having a wonderful year next year. I’ve already heard good things about

you—collectively, that is, and I am anxious to meet you. Make it a great summer!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Loveless

Junior Honor English Teacher