rubric - final capstone paper
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8/2/2019 Rubric - Final Capstone Paper
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Rubric for Senior Capstone Final Paper Final Bound copy due on Monday, March 26, 2012 - NO EXCEPTIONS!
Area Criteria Description Max Points Example High Score Example Middle Score Example Low Score Points Earned
Paper is a Research Thesis not a Report 30 available
This is, perhaps, the single most important standard on
the rubric. In essence, this paper must be a thesis that
shows that researched materials support one or two
well-articulated hypothesis(es). This is not a report
where students write research (find information about)
a topic and then report back what they have found. It isa research/thesis paper where they were to first develop
questions to be answered, then construct
hypothesis(es), followed by researching evidences, data,
or by running experiments, and culminating in a well-
defended thesis. The differences between a simple
report (a restatement of uncovered information) and a
thesis (a convincing written example of higher-order
thinking and analysis as it is applied to a question,
problem, or discovery) is one of the most important
concepts emphasized in Capstone. It is not easy to
articulate the differences between a thesis and a report
in a short rubric description, but advisors should be
confident that this topic was covered, discussed, and
demonstrated throughout the Capstone course.
30 30 = The research paper
is a thesis paper. It
makes a claim and then
it substantiates the claim
in an orderly and logical
fashion. Evidences aregiven and information is
compared and critiqued.
There is very little room
for the middle ground;
well-defended thesis
papers should receive a
30, why reports (no
matter how well written)should receive a 0.
0 = The research paper
is a report. It may be
well written, but it simply
presents information
about a topic without
critical analysis and alogical defense.
Work Consistency and Advisor Collaboration... 30 available
Final paper turned in by the due date having already
been reviewed and approved by the advisor. In otherwords, when the final paper was handed in, the advisor
had been given adequate time to review it and complete
the half-sheet evaluation.
10 10 = I was given the final
paper with ample time toreview it and complete
the form without feeling
pressured.
5 = I was given the final
paper just in a nick oftime, and felt pressured
to get it reviewed so that
it could be turned in on
time.
0 = I was not given
enough time to reviewthe paper, or I never
even saw it.
The student should have been working on the paper
steadily and consistently all semester. This would be
evident to the advisor by the number of student-initiated
meetings and or communications. This rubric item
assesses, then, students approach to writing with the
aid of their selected advisor over the course of the
semester.
Advisors, ask yourself this: Knowing that Mr. Evans
lectured on and even begged for students to write and
communicate assignment standards, did your student
always communicate these on a weekly basis?
20 20 = The student
initiated, scheduled and
kept 2 to 3 regular
weekly meetings during
this past month to show
writing progress and
seek advice. The
student was delightfully
mature and self-
initiating.
10 = For most weeks,
the student waited until
the end of the week
(Friday) to hand in work
giving little or no time for
adviser input.
0 = The student rarely, if
ever, contacted their
advisor. Any meetings
that did occur, only
happened when the
student was desperate
for a deadline or
signature. The
advisor/advisee
relationship was
excuses and blame
shifting.
NOTE: This is
to be graded
by the advisor.
Graders, leave
this blank!
Paper Mechanics... 90 available
A spiral bound paper with plastic cover pages
included...
Title Page
The Paper (an index was optional but encouraged)
Sources/Resources/Bibliography
Assignment Number 2: The Thesis.
Appendices where necessary (optional)
Citation Sampler with both in-text and source style
examples so that the grader knows how to evaluate
citation style.
5 5 = Exactly as described 3 = Stapled and neat or
missing an element or
an element out of place.
0 = A stack of loose
pages was handed in.
One or more missing
elements.
A title page including all relevant details should start the
paper. Additional information is okay so long as you do
not think the student is going overboard.
5 5 = All elements:
__ Course name
__ Paper Title (subtitles
are fine too) Capstone
is NOT a title!
__ Student's name
__ Advisor's name
__ Capstone teacher
__ Due date
0 = No title page
Abstract is well written. Thesis statement is bold within
the abstract. The abstract provides an adequate
summary of why the topic is important, what they were
seeking to find and the end result.
10 10 = All elements are
present.
0 = There is no abstract.
Format is consistent throughout. The student idented
paragraphs and has no extra spacing after each
paragraph. The paper is double-spaced throughout, in
12 point Times New Roman font with 1 inch (2.5 cm
margins) and printed on A4 paper. (Footnotes may be
as small as 10 point font.)
10 10 = style is consistent
throughout.
0 = Style is either a
hybrid or inconsistent
throughout.
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8/2/2019 Rubric - Final Capstone Paper
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Spelling 10 10 = I found no spelling
mistakes.
0 = The paper was full of
spelling errors. The
student could not
possibly have even
opened the spell
checker function!
Grammar 20 20 = I found no
grammatical mistakes.
0 = The paper was full of
grammar errors. The
student could not
possibly have even
opened the grammar
checker function!
The capstone paper is to be of sufficient length to
adequately cover the chosen topic, and should be a
minimum length of 3000 words (not including text in
charts, graphs, citations, the source listings and
such). This will put most papers in the range of 10 - 11
full length pages of prose alone if absolutely no graphics
are included, and then go up from there. Count the
words on an average page and multiply by the number
of pages. If it is close, give the benefit of the doubt to
the student. Asking the student for an electronic copy
in a word processor format (not PDF) may also help with
counting should you feel that it is necessary to do so.
Papers also have a maximum size, they should not
exceed 4000 words.
30
Data and Calculations...
0 to a max
of 10
Data, when needed, were arranged in tables. 5 or NA 5 = Yes, always 0 = No, necessary data
were not presented at all
Calculations and derivations were clearly presented and
easy to follow when necessary to support a point
5 or NA 5 = Yes, always 0 = No, necessary
equations were not
presented even when
needed
Illustrations, Charts and Graphs... 10 available
All illustrations, schematics, diagrams, plans, charts and
graphs that were needed were present. These graphic
elements were logically placed near the concept being
written about. The elements were explained and
understandable. A synergy exists between the textual
and graphical content of the paper, one enhancing the
comprehensibility of the other. The prose is aided and
enhanced by necessary graphics. No superfluous
pictures, illustrations, charts or graphs were added as
fluff.
10 10 = Yes, always 0 = Graphics were never
employed to clarify and
explain, and when
graphics were used,
they were unnecessary
Papers structure... 60 available
Paper included a well-defined thesis statement that
introduced the subject and establishes the thesis and
document plan.
5 5 = Yes 0 = No
The thesis paper follows the original plan, that is, it
follows the plan and goals laid out at the beginning of
the semester. Did the students research the topic that
they said that they would research? Students
sometimes modify their papers to follow a different
topic, but this is not permitted. You will need to refer to
a document that should be attached in the appendices.
Do not grade this rubric item based on whether or not
the original assignment is attached; that's handled later
in the rubric section, "Attachments in the Appendices".
20 20 = The research paper
follows the research plan
and goals laid out earlier
in the semester.
0 = The student
completely dropped the
original research idea
and pursued another
topic.
The paper uses language that i s professional and
understandable. The paper avoids the use of I, me,
you and other such personal language. Vocabulary is
on par with a senior-level, academic capstone paper.
10 10 = Yes, always 0 = The paper is full of
personal, non-academic
language and the
vocabulary is either
concocted from anoverused thesaurus or is
simple and childish
The central purpose of the paper is always apparent to
the reader and the paper logically follows an obvious
outline. The ideas are arranged logically and the paper
flows smoothly. One idea is clearly linked to the next.
10 10 = The paper always
stays on task
0 = The paper meanders
aimlessly and it is
apparent that no outline
was ever used
Relevant and legitimate (scholarly) examples clearly
support the central thesis. The text provides clear and
detailed evidence for all claims.
10 10 = The thesis is
supported by well-
researched and
presented supporting
information
0 = The paper is mostly
opinion and
unsupported assertions
The writing is interesting and hooks the reader. It
sustains interest throughout.
5 5 = This paper really
grabbed me
0 = Boring and
completely flat. I could
barely finish it.
30 = 3000 - 4000 words.
2 point deducted for each 100 words under 3000 or for each 100 words
over 4000.
Do not exceed 30 points.
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Citations and Sources... 60 available
References are primarily peer-reviewed professional
journals where possible ). Consider the resources that
the Internet has to offer. Did the student choose wisely
from the Internet and other available materials?
10 10 = Excellent,
academic or
professional resources
were researched and
cited
0 = The sources were
highly suspect and
should not have been a
trusted source of
information
Quoted text is rarely done and only when the text is
quoted for historic or artistic value
5 5 = No quoted text was
used or when it was
used, the text itself was
intrinsically quote-
worthy
0 = The student
copied/pasted then
quoted large blocks of
text just to avoid writing.
All ideas that are not commonly known to humanity in
general and therefore represent the ideas of a source,
need to be cited!!! It is plagiarism if sentences from a
source are word-replaced/modified. It is plagiarism if
ideas are not credited. Frankly, the paper should be
CHOCK FULL OF CITATIONS!!!
10 10 = The paper is full of
citations
0 = Citations were rarely
used or were used as an
afterthought to satisfy a
requirement for
citations. Ideas that
were clearly not the
students were not cited.
Citations should be correctly formatted. This depends
on the style chosen by the student in conjunction with
his/her advisor. Advisors were to be consulted on this
issue.
5 5 = There are many
styles out there, the
student always used the
correct style.
0 = Citations do not
follow the style that we
agreed upon.
Sources are correctly formatted. This depends on the
style chosen by the student in conjunction with his/her
advisor. Advisors were to be consulted on this issue.
5 5 = Same as above, the
style follows what the
student agreed to do.
0 = The Source page is
not formatted as agreed
upon.
All sources are real. Do a spot check of a few of the
listed web sources to make sure that they are real and
that the information cited came from there.
5 5 = All sources check
out
There is no middle
ground here.
A bad source is not a
zero, it is academic
dishonestly. Report
instances of academicdishonesty to the
Capstone teacher.
A significant number of academic sources was
employed.
20
Attachments in the Appendices... 20 available
Attached a copy of the original assignment describing
the thesis topic (Week 10) in detail. This should be the
LAST section at the BACK of the paper.
It would be difficult to evaluate the paper as to whether
a student did what they said they would in the absence
of this attachment. If it is missing, you may want to
mark the paper down AND go see the capstone teacher
for advice or input.
10 10 = copy attached. 0 = Copy was not
attached, had to go ask
for it.
Attached a copy of the citation styles sampler that
informs the advisor as to the standard (MLA, APA, or
Chicago) and how the sources and citations should be
formatted.
10 10 = copy attached. 0 = Copy was not
attached, had to go ask
for it.
Total Points Available (will vary from 300 to 310): Total Points Awarded:
12 or more: 20-points
9 - 11: 15-points
6 - 8: 10 points
3 - 5: 5-points
0 - 2: 0 points