iRubric: Final Research Paper Rubric

Uses a logical structure appropriate
to paper's subject and purpose.
Sophisticated transitional sentences
often develop one idea from the
previous one or identify their logical
relations. It guides the reader
through the chain of reasoning or
progression of ideas.

- Shows a logical progression of ideas
and uses fairly sophisticated
transitional devices; e.g., may move
from least to more important idea.
Some logical links may be faulty,
but each paragraph clearly relates to
paper's central idea.

- May list ideas or arrange them
randomly rather than using logical structure. May use
transitions, but they are not in a logical sequence. While each
paragraph may relate to central idea,
logic is not always clear. Paragraphs
have topic sentences but may be
overly general, and arrangement of
sentences within paragraphs may
lack structure.

May have random organization,
lacking internal paragraph structure
and use few or inappropriate
transitions. Paragraphs may lack
topic sentences or main ideas, or
may be too general or too specific to
be effective. Paragraphs may not all relate to paper's subject.

Structure of the paragraph is not easy to follow.
- Paragraph transitions need improvement.