RUBRIC FOR OPTION A:

Category / Exceeds Standard / Meets Standard / Nearly Meets Standard / Does Not Meet Standard
Material/ content / The writer provides facts and quotations from a variety of sources and each section. Facts and ideas are either expressed in the writer’s words or else completely and correctly documented. The body of the report supports and develops the writer’s thesis, and it contains no extraneous ideas. (20 pts) / The writer provides facts and quotations from several sources and each section. Facts and ideas are either expressed in the writer’s words or else documented. The body of the report supports and develops the writer’s thesis, and it usually exhibits unity and coherence.
(15 pts) / The writer provides facts and quotations from more than one source and not each section. Facts and ideas are not always documented or expressed in the writer’s words. The body of the report lacks real unity and coherence, although most details are somewhat related to the topic. (10 pts) / The writer provides a mixture of opinions, facts, and statements and some sections are missing.
Facts and ideas are often not expressed in the writer’s words or else they lack documentation.
The body of the report lacks unity and coherence, and may be difficult to understand.
(0-5 pts)
Organization / Writer demonstrates logical and subtle sequencing of ideas through well-developed paragraphs; transitions are used to enhance organization. (20 pts) / Paragraph development present but not perfected. (15 pts) / Logical organization; organization of ideas not fully developed. (10 pts) / No evidence of structure or organization. (0-5 pts)
Mechanics and sentence structure. / There are few or no errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling. Word choice is precise and appropriate for the audience. (20 pts) / There are minor errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling. Word choice is usually appropriate for the audience. (15 pts) / There are numerous errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling. Word choice is not always appropriate for the audience. (10 pts) / Numerous errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling may hinder comprehension. Word choice shows little understanding of the audience. (0-5 pts)
Academic Writing / Contains precise and vivid language (grade-level vocabulary or above) (e.g. use of appropriate synonyms for words, ex. “bring” instead of “get.”) (10 pts) / Contains mostly precise and vivid language (grade-level vocabulary or above) (e.g. use of appropriate synonyms for words, ex. “bring” instead of “get.”) (15 pts) / Contains some precise and vivid language (grade-level vocabulary or above) (e.g. use of appropriate synonyms for words, ex. “bring” instead of “get.”) (10 pts) / Does not contain precise and vivid language (grade-level vocabulary or above) (e.g. use of appropriate synonyms for words, ex. “bring” instead of “get.”) (0-5 pts)
Neatness / The final draft of the report is readable, clean, neat and attractive. Report is typed or written in blue or black ink and paper has professional quality. (10 pts) / The final draft of the report is readable, neat and attractive, but lacks overall professionalism of presentation. Report is written in blue or black ink and has stains. (8 pts) / The final draft of the report is readable and some of the pages are attractive. Report is written in blue or black ink, and it looks like parts of it might have been done in a hurry. (6 pts) / The final report is not neat or attractive. It looks like the student just wanted to get it done and didn't care what it looked like. All or part of the report is written in pencil. (0-4 pts)
Bibliography / The report includes a complete and correct bibliography or source list.
(20 pts) / The report includes an in-
Complete but correct bibliography or source list. (15 pts) / The report includes an incomplete or incorrect bibliography or source list. (10 pts) / The report may not include a bibliography or source list, or this may be incomplete or incorrect. (0-5 pts)

RUBRIC FOR OPTION B:

Category / Exceeds Standard / Meets Standard / Nearly Meets Standard / Does Not Meet Standard
Material/ content / The writer provides facts and quotations from interviews and other sources and each section. Facts and ideas are either expressed in the writer’s words or else completely and correctly documented. The body of the report supports and develops the writer’s thesis, and it contains no extraneous ideas. (20 pts) / The writer provides facts and quotations from interviews and other sources and each section. Facts and ideas are either expressed in the writer’s words or else documented. The body of the report supports and develops the writer’s thesis, and it usually exhibits unity and coherence.
(15 pts) / The writer provides facts and quotations from more than one interview and other sources and not each section. Facts and ideas are not always documented or expressed in the writer’s words. The body of the report lacks real unity and coherence, although most details are somewhat related to the topic. (10 pts) / The writer provides a mixture of opinions, facts, and statements without interviewing anyone, and some sections are missing.
Facts and ideas are often not expressed in the writer’s words or else they lack documentation.
The body of the report lacks unity and coherence, and may be difficult to understand.
(0-5 pts)
Organization / Writer demonstrates logical and subtle sequencing of ideas through well-developed paragraphs; transitions are used to enhance organization. (20 pts) / Paragraph development present but not perfected. (15 pts) / Logical organization; organization of ideas not fully developed. (10 pts) / No evidence of structure or organization. (0-5 pts)
Mechanics and sentence structure. / There are few or no errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling. Word choice is precise and appropriate for the audience. (20 pts) / There are minor errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling. Word choice is usually appropriate for the audience. (15 pts) / There are numerous errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling. Word choice is not always appropriate for the audience. (10 pts) / Numerous errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, or spelling may hinder comprehension. Word choice shows little understanding of the audience. (0-5 pts)
Academic Writing / Contains precise and vivid language (grade-level vocabulary or above) (e.g. use of appropriate synonyms for words, ex. “bring” instead of “get.”) (10 pts) / Contains mostly precise and vivid language (grade-level vocabulary or above) (e.g. use of appropriate synonyms for words, ex. “bring” instead of “get.”) (15 pts) / Contains some precise and vivid language (grade-level vocabulary or above) (e.g. use of appropriate synonyms for words, ex. “bring” instead of “get.”) (10 pts) / Does not contain precise and vivid language (grade-level vocabulary or above) (e.g. use of appropriate synonyms for words, ex. “bring” instead of “get.”) (0-5 pts)
Neatness / The final draft of the report is readable, clean, neat and attractive. Report is typed or written in blue or black ink and paper has professional quality. (10 pts) / The final draft of the report is readable, neat and attractive, but lacks overall professionalism of presentation. Report is written in blue or black ink and has stains. (8 pts) / The final draft of the report is readable and some of the pages are attractive. Report is written in blue or black ink, and it looks like parts of it might have been done in a hurry. (6 pts) / The final report is not neat or attractive. It looks like the student just wanted to get it done and didn't care what it looked like. All or part of the report is written in pencil. (0-4 pts)
Bibliography / The report includes a complete and correct bibliography or source list.
(20 pts) / The report includes an in-
Complete but correct bibliography or source list. (15 pts) / The report includes an incomplete or incorrect bibliography or source list. (10 pts) / The report may not include a bibliography or source list, or this may be incomplete or incorrect. (0-5 pts)