Name: Social Studies Instructor:

Basic Minimum Requirements:
Before this paper is acceptable, all of the following components must be present and correctly done:
Title Page (MLA format, and creative title) & Running header with page numbers
Thesis and Method Statement (properly placed in introduction)
Minimum paper length (8 full pages of text, typed, double-spaced, 1” margins, 12 point serif font)
All researched information properly cited
Meets or exceeds 8 cited sources
Accurate, properly formatted Works Cited page
Paper written in third person
Related note cards, drafts and research accompany paper

Evaluative Criteria:
Scoring is based on the following ratings: 5 – Strong, 4 – Maturing, 3 – Developing, 2 – Emerging, 1 – Beginning. Papers with scores of 2 or below in any category must be rewritten to be accepted.

Organization & Fluency /5
Logical sense of structure throughout essay
Effective introduction & conclusion
Effective transitions

Voice & Word Choice /5
Tone and purpose fit audience
Language is precise, varied & interesting
Slang, jargon & clichés avoided

Conventions /5
Use of proper punctuation, grammar, etc.

Use of Research Sources /5
Appropriate sources used
Appropriate in-text citations throughout

Ideas and Content /5
Accurate, current information used
Specific, quality cds included that support thesis
Opinion-based commentary sentences

Overall Persuasive Impact /5
Thesis is well-supported throughout
Paragraphs and other structural elements
clearly relate to the thesis

Total Score /30
(minimum score of 21/30 required for paper to be accepted)