Research-Based Argument Essay Evaluation Checklist

Research-Based Argument Essay (Using at least 3 Sources)
Evaluation Checklist

Research-Based Argument Essay                               Name:_____________________________
(using at least 3 sources) - Evaluation Checklist
WR 122, Prof. C. Agatucci – Winter 2008
Worth: 200 pts. possible                                                  Grade:_________________________

                   ___ Submitted Late: ½ Grade Penalty

___ Submitted on time: Revision Option available. Note Well: Re-grading consideration given only if Original graded & critiqued Argument Essay (incl. this Evaluation Checklist completed by Cora) is resubmitted with Optional Revision.

EVALUATION CRITERIA [See also “Research-Based Argument Essay (Using at Least 3 Sources) Directions” & other course resources relevant to this assignment.]

___1. LENGTH & MANUSCRIPT FORM (MS):
--Length of essay is 1200-1500 words or 5-to-6 wordprocessed double-spaced pages, not counting separate required Works Cited page/s; long enough and well-developed enough to achieve aim & thesis claim of argument essay.
--General MS form requirements are met (e.g. MLA-style heading on page 1, centered title, double spaced, 1” margins, standard academic font & reading point size, MLA-style Running page headers on subsequent pages, etc.)

___2. TOPIC CHOICE: --Arguable issue that satisfies guidelines as given in class & in “Topic Proposal . . . ” directions handout.

___3. MINIMUM OF THREE (3) SOURCES: --At least 3 (or more) sources relevant to the topic issue are EXPLICITLY cited IN-TEXT of the argument essay and in WORKS CITED (separate page/s at end of essay);
--More than one position/point of view on the topic issue are represented by these cited sources;
--“Good” sources (e.g., reliable, authoritative, up-to-date, accurate, representative, etc.) are cited

___4. PLAGIARISM IS AVOIDED & Sources are Cited using MLA-STYLE (MS):
--ALL quotations, paraphrases & summaries from sources are explicitly cited within student’s argument essay, with a good faith effort to avoid plagiarism & follow correct MLA-style IN-TEXT citation practices (including appropriate use of ellipsis, brackets, block quotation);
--ALL IN-TEXT CITATIONS of sources can be clearly matched to corresponding WORKS CITED entries for those sources, also required to Avoid Plagiarism;
--WORKS CITED page/s are correctly formatted and complete: that is, Works Cited begins on a separate page, appropriately subtitled, included at the end of student’s argument essay; all Works Cited page/s include MLA-style Running Page header/s; Works Cited list gives complete bibliographical entries in correct MLA style for all sources cited in-text of student’s argument essay, these entries are listed in alphabetical order and they are double spaced (both within and between entries).

___5. GENRE (Essay with a Thesis) & AIM (to Convince, Persuade, or Mediate) of Student’s Argument Essay, demonstrate diligent course preparation/participation and sound essay writing skills:

Thesis (Mark in essay or state here): _____________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Aim of Argument (State here): _______________________________________________

--Effective Title, Introduction, Thesis Placement, Unity, Thesis Transitions, Conclusion
--Effective Organization (logical & clear idea progression, appropriate to Argument Aim & Thesis development)
--Strong Coherence (see also Clarity & Command of Standard Written English below)

___6. METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT used in student’s Argument Essay, are effective in supporting its Thesis, demonstrate diligent course preparation (use of effective types of appeals recommended in AofA chapters) appropriate to achieving its Aim, and demonstrate sound essay writing skills, including:
--Body Paragraph Structure, Unity, & Development
--Effective Use of Sources: Citations are well-selected to introduce or develop student’s points; are incorporated clearly, smoothly and grammatically correctly into student sentences (e.g. using appropriate author tags and active verbs, and avoiding sentence errors); and all citations (quotation, paraphrase, summary) are accompanied by sufficient student author commentary needed to interpret citations & explain their relevance to student author’s points.

___7. AUDIENCE & OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS: Argument Essay effectively addresses a diverse audience; and effectively anticipates, introduces and addresses the most significant opposing viewpoints.

___8. College-Level Style, CLARITY & COMMAND OF STANDARD WRITTEN ENGLISH

NOTE: ALL MAJOR WR 122 COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (listed in WR 122 Syllabus) ARE ADDRESSED BY THIS ASSIGNMENT.

Winter 2008 WR 122 Syllabus | Course Plan | WR 122 Home Page

You are here: Research-Based Argument Essay (Using at least 3 Sources) Evaluation Checklist - WR 122 Handout, Winter 2008
URL of this webpage: http://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/wr122/EvalResearch_BasedArgumentEssay.htm
Last Updated: 03 March 2008

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Humanities Department, Central Oregon Community College
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