Student Final Paper Rubric

Americas Council
2016-2017 Academic Year
4
Student adheres to all the
requirements/rules of the
APA Manual:
Title Page
Page Headers
Abstract
Citations
Tables/Figures

Reference Page

3
Student adheres to
most of the
requirements/rules
of the APA
Manual; however,
there are some
inconsistencies
with formatting or
a few missing
citations.

2
It is apparent that
the student has
some
understanding of
APA style.
However, the
inconsistencies
with the formatting
indicate that the
student has not
sufficiently
prepared the
manuscript for
consideration.

Research/
Thesis
Statement

Research/thesis statement
is clearly identifiable; It
accurately explains the
argument the author
intends to follow.

The research/thesis
statement is vague.
It is unclear what
topic the author
intends to
argue/discuss.

Introduction

Student presents
information/theme in
logical, interesting,
complete manner which
the reader can follow;
Student establishes
topic, theme or
controversy very clearly;
Student explains the
importance of the topic,
theme or controversy very
clearly; Student
presents a very clear
outline of the main points
to be discussed in
the paper.

Research/thesis
statement is
identifiable.
However, the
wording of this
statement is
awkward; The
reader may
understand the
argument the
author intends to
follow, but may be
unsure.
Student presents
information/theme
in logical and
complete manner
which the reader
can follow, but it is
not original or
interesting;
Student establishes
topic, theme or
controversy clearly,
but misses on
originality or
freshness; Student
explains the
importance of the
topic, theme or
controversy
clearly; Student
presents a clear
outline
of the main points
to be discussed in

Format

Student presents
some
information/theme
but it is difficult to
follow; Student
does not establish
topic, theme or
controversy
clearly, reader must
make an effort to
identify it; Student
does not
frame clearly the
importance of the
topic, theme or
controversy in the
literature, reader is
forced to fill in the
gaps; Student does
not
have a clear outline
of the main points
to be discussed in

1
Student has not
adhered to the
rules of the APA
Manual;
Citations are not
properly
identified,
sections are not
identified,
tables/figures
are improperly
identified, and
the reference
page is
inaccurate.
There is no
clearly
identifiable
research/thesis
statement; The
introduction
leaves the
reader with no
clear
argument/thoug
ht the author
intends to
follow.
Student does
not present
information/the
me in logical,
interesting,
complete
manner which
the reader can
follow; Student
does
not establishes
topic, theme or
controversy;
Student does
not explain
the importance
of the topic,
theme or
controversy;
Student does
not
present an
outline of the

Total

the paper.

the paper,
it is haphazardly
organized.

Central
Theme

Student presents
information/theme in
logical, interesting,
complete manner which
the reader can follow;
Student establishes
topic, theme or
controversy very clearly;
Student explains the
importance of the topic,
theme or controversy very
clearly; Student
presents a very clear
outline of the main points
to be discussed in
the paper.

Student presents
information/theme
in logical and
complete manner
which the reader
can follow, but it is
not original or
interesting;
Student establishes
topic, theme or
controversy clearly,
but misses on
originality or
freshness; Student
explains the
importance of the
topic, theme or
controversy
clearly; Student
presents a clear
outline
of the main points
to be discussed in
the paper.

Student presents
some
information/theme
but it is difficult to
follow; Student
does not establish
topic, theme or
controversy
clearly, reader must
make an effort to
identify it; Student
does not
frame clearly the
importance of the
topic, theme or
controversy in the
literature, reader is
forced to fill in the
gaps; Student does
not
have a clear outline
of the main points
to be discussed in
the paper,
it is haphazardly
organized.

Sources

The number of sources

indicates that the student
has sufficiently
researched the topic.
Moreover, the number
and quality of citations
enhance the strength of
the manuscript.

Based on the
quantity and
quality of the
sources, the student
has made a
superficial attempt
at researching the
manuscript.

Conclusion

Student presents
conclusion in a logical,
interesting,
complete manner which
the reader can follow;
Student refers clearly to
research/thesis statement;
Student explains the
importance of the topic,
theme or controversy very

The number and

quality of sources
indicate the student
has indeed
researched the
topic. However,
additional sources
(both quality and
quantity) would
have enhanced the
manuscript.
Student presents
conclusion in a
logical and
complete manner
which the reader
can follow, but it is
not original or
interesting;
Student refers
clearly to

Student presents
some information
but it is difficult to
follow; Student
does not refer
clearly to
research/thesis
statement. Reader
must make an
effort to identify

main points to
be discussed in
the paper;
Reader can't
understand the
sequence of the
information.
Student does
not present
information/the
me in logical,
interesting,
complete
manner which
the reader can
follow; Student
does
not establishes
topic, theme or
controversy;
Student does
not explain
the importance
of the topic,
theme or
controversy;
Student does
not
present an
outline of the
main points to
be discussed in
the paper;
Reader can't
understand the
sequence of the
information.
Number and
quality of
sources is not
acceptable; This
lack of quality
and few sources
indicate the
student has not
properly
researched the
topic.
Student does
not present
conclusion in a
logical,
interesting,
complete
manner which
the reader can
follow; Student
does

clearly and provides a

well thought-out, original
conclusion.

research/thesis
statement, but
misses on
originality or
freshness in the
conclusion.

Total Points

conclusion; Student
does not
have a clear
outline/conclusion
of the main points
discussed in the
paper.

not refer
research/thesis
statment;
Manuscript
seems to just
end without
properly
concluding or
providing any
original thought
or contribution
to the
manuscript.