Ethics Research Paper Rubric
| (4) Outstanding | (3) Good | (2) Adequate | (1) Inadequate | ||
| S
T R E N G T H
O F
A R G U M E N T |
ARGUMENT
|
Thesis is supported excellently—the arguments in the essay work well together to support the thesis; the claims in these arguments are themselves supported well | Thesis is mostly defended well, but one small part isn’t supported, or one or two of the arguments for it need a bit more support or explanation | 1-2 important parts of thesis need further support (textual or other evidence), or several claims in the arguments for the thesis given too quickly, w/little support | The points given in the paper do not support the thesis, or there are major gaps where aspects of the thesis or arguments for it are left undefended, or it’s difficult to tell what you are arguing for & how |
| EVIDENCE | Adequate textual evidence provided for your claims about the text
|
Adequate textual evidence provided for your claims about the text(s) in most places, but need more in 1-2 places | More textual evidence is needed in several places | Very little to no textual evidence is provided | |
| ACCURACY | No inaccuracies in discussion of texts, &/or non-standard interpretations defended well | Mostly accurate discussion of claims and arguments from texts, but 1-2 minor inaccuracies; or, controversial or non-standard interpretations of texts need a bit more defense | A few inaccuracies in the discussion of the texts, or controversial or non-standard interpretations of texts not defended as well as they should be
|
Many points in discussion of texts are inaccurate, or controversial interpretations hardly or not defended at all | |
| I
N S I G H T |
INSIGHT | Creative, original thesis, argument, and interpretations of texts that spark new ideas and questions in the reader beyond what is in the texts and lectures; takes risks and reflects deep thought and effort | Thesis, arguments, &/or interpretations of texts reflect some original thought, but could use more | There is not much evidence of original thought or interpretations, or the arguments in the essay focus on was given in class or in the texts, or the interpretations are pretty clear to most readers on a first read | The essay attempts to repeat arguments or ideas from texts or lectures/discussions, or attempts to give an original argument, but shows a serious lack of understanding of the material in either case |
