Department of History

Department of History____________________________________________________________________

Andrew Meyers

Research Essay Grading Sheet

You are graded on seven categories:
√ • x	Introduction	zinger, background, definitions, relevance, thesis, "road map"
√ • x	Organization/ Structure	thesis-driven, topic sentences, paragraphing, transitions, logical flow
√ • x	Factual Support	relevance, selection, range of sources, dates, people, historical events
√ • x	Quote Choice and Use	choice, use, introduction, analysis, discussion, format, relevance, citation
√ • x	Analysis and Argument	consistent thesis argument, addresses counter-argument, thorough discussions, original interpretation, use of secondary sources/historiography
√ • x	Prose and Mechanics	word choice, syntax, spelling, vocabulary, colloquialism, cliché , punctuation vague language, passive voice, vague antecedent, tense, agreement, fragments
√ • x	Conclusion	restatement, expansion, answering the "so what" question (significance)

(√ = very good; • = satisfactory; x = unsatisfactory)

A = If you fulfill all seven categories effectively, thoroughly, elegantly, and are utterly convincingly
A- = If you fulfill all seven categories effectively and thoroughly
B+ = If you fulfill six
B = If you fulfill five
B- = If you fulfill four
C+ = If you fulfill three
C = If you fulfill two
C- = If you fulfill one
D = If you attempt to fulfill one

grade:

comment:

Essay Form and Correction Key

Introduction Zinger Background Thesis + Road Map: points A, B,+ C
Body Paragraph "A" Topic Sentence "A" Evidence (quotes, dates, events)+ Analysis Transistion to "B"
Body Paragraph "B" Topic Sentence "B" Evidence (quotes, dates, events)+ Analysis Transistion to "C"
Body Paragraph "C" Topic Sentence "C" Evidence (quotes, dates, events)+ Analysis Transistion to "Conclusion"
Conclusion Restate Thesis (more fully) Expansion ("so what?")