NON-DEMOCRACIES RULE

position paper rubric

Content

Possible 15 pts.

Total possible points

Content: Your paper should provide answers to: – What is the ideology about? (1-2 sentence summary) – Why is the problem addressed interesting or important? – What are the positive aspects of the ideology? – What are the negative aspects of the ideology? – Which relevant problems are not addressed by the ideology? – What are the counterarguments of the ideology? and you must clearly state your position in the first paragraph

The paper must address the following in this section to receive full credit: student’s position (argument), any counterargument, and textual evidence (must include citations). Any missing elements will result deductions of the paper’s grade.

Paper clearly states position/answers question in the first paragraph. Answers other questions, and provides a solid argument and counterargument with evidence in paper 5 pts.

Paper is missing one of the elements: position/argument, counterargument, or evidence or any of the above is weak. 4 pts.

Paper is missing two of the elements or the argument or counterargument is very weak (i.e., no evidence provided) 2 pts.

Paper is missing central focus or argument. There is no textual reference provided by student 0 pts.

Possible points: 5pts.

Evidence: Do not use outside research; use only assigned readings (you still need to cite them) provide ideas gathered from in-class discussions, or you can come up with your own ideology (but explain it – clearly). (There is not enough space for outside research.)

Evidence provided via references to reading with proper citation 4 pts.

Evidence may have been provided, however the citation is missing or not correct 3 pt.

Evidence not provided and no citation in the paper 0 pts.

You must cite whenever you “borrow, paraphrase, steal, or use” someone’s words or ideas, otherwise it is plagiarism. (Note: Paper will not receive any credit)

Possible points: 4pts.

Style: Proofread your writing. Position papers are meant to be succinct and to the point – that means as writers you have to cast aside all the tricks you learned in English courses you took. Write to show me that you have read and understood the ideology. Also, do not assume that spell and grammar check are perfect. As this assignment is short in length, it means that you will

Grammar and mechanics are (almost) free from error 3 pts.

A few style errors, but still legible and comprehensible.

Paper has same error(s) consistently 1 pts. Paper has many or repeated grammatical and or mechanical errors.

Paper is difficult to read or hard to understand due to errors 0 pts.

Possible points: 4pts.

Format: each paper is 425 words, double-spaced, 1” margins, Times New Roman 11-12 pt. type size, strictly enforced both minimum and maximum length (or 1 page, single-spaced)

Follows page format 2 pt.

Follows page format with few mistakes 2 pts.

Does not follows page format 0 pts.

Possible points: 2pt.