file · Web viewOrganization, Argument, Language. Criterion. Value. First draft. Final draft. Suggestions . Title is imaginative and attention-grabbing. 5. Introduction defines

History Research Paper Rubric Mr. Varley

Name: ____________________________________First draft _ pgs. 4/22/13, Final draft _ pgs. 5/20/13

This rubric needs to be turned in with both the first and final drafts. It will chart your progress as you revise your paper. Turn in your rough draft with your final draft. Underline thesis statement and topic sentences IN ROUGH DRAFT ONLY. Drafts significantly shorter than required length will not be accepted.

Organization, Argument, Language

Criterion Value First draft

Final draft Suggestions

Title is imaginative and attention-grabbing

5

Introduction defines important terms, provides a roadmap for the paper, catches reader’s attention, and declares the thesis statement

10

Thesis statement presents an original argument that clearly reflects an interesting research question and relates to a larger issue

7

Each body paragraph develops the argument logically; each paragraph has an effective transition; the body paragraphs form a coherent whole

15

Language usage is lucid; word choices are excellent; sentences are well-formed; paragraphs are well-structured; tone is appropriate

20

Each paragraph has an identifiable topic sentence

5

A conclusion summarizes the entire paper and restates the thesis using different words; conclusion is thoughtful and engaging

9

History Research Paper Rubric Mr. Varley

Research and EvidenceCriterion Value

First draft

Final draft Suggestions

Historical evidence for claims is presented, well-integrated in text, and accurate

8

Research has breadth. A variety of carefully selected, reliable sources – monographs, articles, and primary sources – is consulted.

7

Research is in depth (detailed information is taken from sources and well integrated into paper)

7

In-text citation is used where appropriate and necessary; each citation is properly formatted in MLA style

8

Citations are seamlessly integrated into the text; demonstrate correct use of paraphrase, summary, and quotation

6

Each entry in Works cited list is properly formatted in MLA style; every in-text citation has reference in works cited list

9

MLA Style and mechanics of written languageCriterion Value First draft Final draft

Headers on every page (name and page number) 2

1 inch margins 2Text double spaced on all pages 2Title centered 2Each paragraph indented ½” (five spaces) 2Text left aligned (not justified or other) 2Font is 12 point Times New Roman or equivalent 2Title page formatted correctly 3Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are error-free 12Works Cited list uses hanging indentation 5First draft/rubric not returned Subtract

Paper is late SubtractMiscellaneous

TOTAL POINTS (OUT OF 150) First Draft Final Draft

History Research Paper Rubric Mr. Varley

Evaluating (Internet) Sources

A few tips:

1. Make sure your source really covers the topic you have in mind.

Read through the table of contents, review main headings, look at the index, skim through sections you feel may be of use to you. Ask yourself “Is there enough information and is it pertinent?”

2. Make sure that some of your sources are current.

Historians are influenced by the time period in which they write and new information has been gathered over the years. Views on any subject are likely to change over time, so it is good to sample sources across time periods.

3. Decide if the source is unreliable or biased

Consider this question for every source. Be especially careful with free websites. Look for the credentials of the source and author. For instance, are you really going to trust a website called “Big Billy’s Awesome Civil War Page”? Or a pamphlet distributed by a hate group? Remember also, that all historians have a certain point of view.

4. Find out where any free web information comes from

Websites maintained by college history departments and other history organizations are your safest bet. Many websites are created by amateur historians and middle and high school aged students. A website from a 7th grade history project is inappropriate for high school research. The librarian will give you more information on evaluating the free web, but the number one rule is: If there are no credentials for the website, do not use it.

5. Decide if you will be able to successfully use the source

Are the books too long and detailed? Can you understand what the author is talking about? Is the source over simplified?

US History and Government Topic selection sheet

Proposed Topic (#1): __________________________________________________________________

This topic is important to US history because: _____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Specific questions I expect to explore include:

1. ___________________________________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________________________________

I have verified that I will be able to obtain the necessary research material for this topic.

Circle: Yes or No

My thesis statement and paper will be (circle one): Informational or Analytical

Proposed Topic (#2): __________________________________________________________________

This topic is important to US history because: _____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Specific questions I expect to explore include:

1. ___________________________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________________________I have verified that I will be able to obtain the necessary research material for this topic.

Circle: Yes or No

My thesis statement and paper will be (circle one): Informational or Analytical

Teacher Signature ______________________________________________________________

U.S. History Research Paper Source Approval Sheet

Name: ________________________________________________________

First book-length source: ________________________________________________________________

Second book-length source: ______________________________________________________________

(Third book-length source): ______________________________________________________________

First library database article title: _____________________________________________________

From journal: _______________________________________________________________________

Second library database article title: _____________________________________________________

From journal: _______________________________________________________________________

(Third library database article title): _____________________________________________________

(From journal): _______________________________________________________________________

Primary source #1 (list name of document and where located) _________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Primary source #2 (list name of document and where located) _________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Primary source #3 (list name of document and where located) _________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

My reliable website is (list title and URL) ____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Explain why you need to use this website for your research: ___________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Additional source: (name and format) ______________________________________________________

Additional source: (name and format) ______________________________________________________

Teacher Signature ______________________________________________________________

US History II research paper assignment, 2012-2013

The research paper is a long essay presenting your own interpretation or evaluation or argument about a topic or question. Information is taken from diverse sources that must be cited throughout the paper.

There are two types of research papers.

1. Informational research papers summarize and present factual information in a coherent and organized way.

2. Analytical papers present factual information and draw conclusions from the evidence presented. Often, an analytical paper will explore a debatable question. The analytical paper that explores a debatable question has some elements of persuasive writing in that the writer's conclusion is an opinion derived from the factual evidence.

An informational paper would look at the scope and methods of the movement against the Vietnam War in the late 60’s and early 70’s.

An analytical (argumentative) paper would argue that the antiwar movement led to the government withdrawing from the Vietnam conflict.

Your topic must deal with U.S. history in some form – social, political, economic, religious, military, diplomatic, etc. The topic must do one of the following:

explore a thought provoking or controversial question compare two events or people in history evaluate an event, series of events, or a particular person’s contribution to history

Unacceptable topics:

Conspiracy theories For this paper, straight biography will not be acceptable – You may choose a topic dealing with

one person but not in biography format. Ask a question like “Did Malcolm X help or hurt the civil rights movement?” You will spend very little of the paper discussing his early life.

Your task:

Write a well-researched, interesting and informative research paper on a topic of your choice from American history from 1900 to the present.

Criteria for final draft:

MLA style 10 pages in length, not including works cited list Research sources must include the following:

2 or 3 adult, book length treatments of the topic 2 or 3 scholarly articles from peer reviewed journals about the topic 3 primary sources 1-2 internet sources (optional)

All research sources must be preapproved; we will discuss selection of sources in class.

Refer to the schedule of due dates for your assignments.

Schedule of Due Dates

Assignment Due Date Value

Topic Selection Sheet 1 week 5

Source Selection Sheet 3 weeks 10

Thesis Statement and Outline 4 weeks 10

Introduction with thesis statement underlined (rubric provided)

5 weeks 10

Rough draft 8 weeks 150

Total process grade _______/185

Final paper accompanied by rough draft and rubric 12 weeks 150

Suggested Topics in Political History

American Loyalists/Tories –Impact during the war Evaluate the Articles of Confederation – strengths and weaknesses Constitutional Convention- debate, arguments and compromises The role of the Federalist Papers in constitutional ratification The constitutional debate over the Alien and Sedition Acts The development and legacy of Hamilton and Jefferson’s political philosophies The significance of Shays’ Rebellion and/or the Whiskey Rebellion The impact and legacy of Jacksonian Democracy The significance of the War of 1812 The United States policy towards Native Americans- Research of a specific tribe or nation John Marshall and the development of the Supreme Court. Evaluate the significance of a specific Supreme Court decision; Marbury vs. Madison, Gibbons Vs. Ogden, Brown vs. Board of Education The causes, consequences and controversies of the Mexican American War Evaluate the philosophy and Manifest Destiny and its impact on American development Evaluate the causes of the Civil War- Was it inevitable? The legacy of Reconstruction – To what extent was it a success or failure? Evaluate the accomplishments of the Progressives or Populists The origins and significance of any third party The significance of a specific political election: presidential, congressional etc. Compare and contrast presidential policy of a specific issue: Ex: Hoover’s and Roosevelt’s responses

to the Great Depression Evaluate the foreign policy and legacy of Woodrow Wilson: idealist or realist? Evaluate the significance and legacy of a political scandal (E.g.: Iran-Contra, Credit Moblier) Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the Republican presidents of the 1920’s. Evaluate the impact and legacy of FDR’s New Deal – To what extent did it bring about positive

change? The causes of the Great Depression How did the United States of America dig itself out of the Great Depression? The origins and development of the American welfare state The internment of Japanese Americans during World War II The rise of McCarthyism The dropping of the atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima The causes and consequences of the Reagan Revolution President __________ and the Civil Rights Movement Presidential policy towards the Vietnam conflict The 1st amendment in the 20th Century The legacy of the 1968 Democratic National Convention Watergate: causes, consequences, legacy

Suggested Topics in Social and Intellectual History

Example: How did music during the Vietnam era reflect the sentiment of the people? How did women’s fashion during the 19th century reflect gender norms and values?

The significance of the Scopes Trial Contributions of the Lewis and Clark Expedition Jacksonian Era reforms (temperance, education, prisons, suffrage) The Hudson River School and cultural nationalism Racial attitudes of antebellum north Compare and contrast the goals, tactics and impact of two abolitionists The role of women on southern plantations Compare and contrast the philosophies of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois The Women’s Suffrage Movement: compare/contrast two suffragettes or feminist activists The significance of the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 The significance of the prohibition of alcohol Progressive Era Reforms: trust busting, muckrakers, temperance etc. The development of the labor movement: Knights of Labor, AFL, The changing role of women during the 1920’s Significance of The Gospel of Wealth, Social Darwinism Nativism during the 19th or 20th centuries The significance of the Sacco and Vanzetti trial and conflict during the 1920’s The significance and impact of the Harlem Renaissance Origins of Jazz and/or The Blues How did the Great Depression change the social fabric of American life? Contribution of blacks, women or Natives Americans during World War II The role of women in America in the post WWII period The Red Scare- compare and contrast the one in the 1920’s and 1950’s Popular culture and mass media during the 1950’s Jackie Robinson’s contribution to Major League Baseball desegregation and Civil Rights Movement The Civil Rights Movement- Choose one (significant legislation, impact of a particular political leader,

impact of a particular event or activist, success and failures) The impact of the Black Panthers on the Civil Rights Movement. Were they a help or hindrance? The Nation of Islam – origins, goals, impact on the Civil Rights Movement The effect of Kent State on public opinion The evolution of the women’s movement 1950-1970 – Goals, successes, challenges, activists. The impact of Betty Freidan’s “The Feminine Mystique” The rise of the American suburb and changes its significance on U.S. geography, demography etc. The environmental movement Significance of Cesar Chavez and the Migrant Farm Workers Movement Effectiveness of Title IX on equal rights for women in education and the professional spheres.

Suggested Topics in Religion in America

The legacy of Puritan Philosophy in America The Quaker experience The Great Awakening The Mormons in 19th century America Anti-Semitism in American History The rise of conservative religious fundamentalism and its impact

Suggested Topics in Military History

The causes of the war of 1812 or Mexican War– Was it a justified war? Contribution of black soldiers during the Civil War Civil War draft policies and riots The Indian Wars The causes and impact of the Spanish American War Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders US Military intervention (Panama, Grenada, Dominican Republic etc.) Was the use of the atomic bomb necessary to defeat the Japanese in World War II Examine the roles of women during the Civil War, World War I or World War II The Truman –Macarthur debate during the Korean War The Bay of Pigs incident or Cuban Missile Crisis The significance of the My Lai Massacre on U.S. public opinion The evolution of the Peace Corps

Suggested Topics in Foreign Policy

The significance of French Aid in the American Revolution The Louisiana Purchase Evaluation of Teddy Roosevelt’s “Big Stick Diplomacy” American Imperialism at the dawn of the 20th century- Empire building The Open Door Policy and Asia Wilson’s foreign policy at the end of World War I – Fourteen Points Why did the U.S. engage in World War I? Successes, failures and long term impact of the Treaty of Versailles American foreign policy during the 1920’s An evaluation of the Marshall Plan An evaluation of the Yalta Agreement An evaluation of the containment policy in Europe Origins of the Cold War Impact of the Cold War on America’s relations in Latin America, the Middle East, Asia or Europe The origins of the Vietnam War United States involvement and policies regarding the creation of Israel

Developing your thesis statement

To formulate a good thesis statement, think in terms of a research question. Your thesis statement should answer a question. Try to come up with a research question that is neither too narrow, nor too broad.

For example, the following questions could be asked about the D-Day invasion:

1. What was the D-Day invasion of Normandy?2. How does the D-Day invasion of Normandy compare with other amphibious assaults in history?3. What preparations did the Allies make to ensure success of the D-Day invasion of Normandy?

Question 1 is too narrow; it can be answered in one sentence. Question 2 may be too broad, and it may lead to a lack of focus. It would involve comparing many events across time and space. Question 3 is focused enough to sick to one topic, but broad enough to research in depth.

A thesis statement should be developed after you have explored your research question, and have done enough research to confidently answer that question. A quality thesis statement should be clear, definitive and backed up by research. The goal of this paper is for you to answer a historical question with your thesis statement and back it up using evidence throughout the body of the paper that relates back to your thesis. Your thesis statement is the anchor of your paper. It should explicitly state to the reader what you intend to cover in the paper.

Two Good Examples

The justification and necessity regarding the decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki has long been subject to debate. In the end, there were other means of defeating Japan that would have been less costly and more humane than dropping the atomic bomb. Ultimately, President Truman’s decision to use the atomic bomb was unnecessary and abhorrent.

During the second half of the twentieth century, the United States and Soviet Union engaged in a political, economic, technological, and military rivalry. During this Cold War, both countries attempted to promote and expand their ideologies. By 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed, and the United States of America was left as the lone world super power. The policies of the Reagan Administration were the most important factor leading to the collapse of the Soviet Union, and to the United States’s victory in The Cold War.

How do I know if my thesis is strong?

Do I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question.

Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it's possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument.

Is my thesis statement specific enough? Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like "good" or "successful," see if you could be more specific: why is something "good"; what specifically makes something "successful"?

Does my thesis pass the "So what?" test? If a reader's first response is, "So what?" then you need to clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue.

Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of them has to change. It's o.k. to change your working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course of writing your paper.

Remember, always reassess and revise your writing as necessary.

Does my thesis pass the "how and why?" test? If a reader's first response is "how?" or "why?" your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what you can add to give the reader a better take on your position.

How to OutlineIt is important to organize your thoughts early in the research process. The outline will most likely change as you gather more research and improve your rough drafts.

Strategies

The outline should divide your topic into the major areas you will focus on. The information needs to be ordered in a clear and logical manner.

Scan your overview source & some of your broader sources to develop a clearer picture of your topic. Take some notes from these sources.

Look at the table of contents in some of your sources. It shows you how the author organized his/her information

Consider what the best way to organize your information is:

Chronological Cause and effect Compare and contrast Deductive- starting with a general problem then explaining specific examples and causes Inductive- Starting with specific examples and causes then connecting them to a general

problem

Sample Preliminary OutlineTopic: FDR and the New Deal

I. IntroductionA. What was the New Deal?B. How did it affect the United States?

II. Historical Background A. Prosperity of 1920’s B. Weaknesses of 1920’s economyC. Stock Market Crash D. Hoover’s lack of success and Roosevelt’s election

III. Political Impact A. Legislation – 3 R’s B. Expanded role of government C. Specific Programs of the New Deal

IV. Economic Impact A. Business and Industry B. AgricultureC. Workers and UnemployedD. Women

V. Social ImpactA. MinoritiesB. Families

VIII. Conclusion

A good conclusion summarizes all the major themes, while putting things in proper perspective for the reader. Above all, it connects to the thesis statement.

Rubric for thesis statement and outlineBeginning (6) Developing (8) Advanced (10)

Research question has appropriate scope for length of paperThesis statement is clear, specific, and explicitThesis statement answers research questionThesis statement makes an argumentThesis statement relates to a larger issueOutline develops thesis statementTopics in outline are clearly defined

Outline is clear and logical

Total (Total points/80) X 10 =

See comments on your paper.

Writing Your Introduction

1. Establish the problem. Quickly establish the issue your paper confronts. Set the context. Be specific. It is especially important to clearly define the limits of your topic. If you are discussing the life of Frederick Douglass, it will not suffice to establish the setting by referring to the "days of slavery," since slavery has existed in all times all over the world. Frederick Douglass was a slave in Maryland in the decades before the Civil War. Do not begin a history paper with absurdly general phrases like, "since the beginning of time," or "humans have always. . . ." Make sure you convey that the topic is of vital concern, and that you are interested in it.

2. Define any important terms that might be unfamiliar to the reader. 3. Set the tone, voice, and style of your paper. Do not use the first person.4. Catch the reader's attention. You might start with an example, a quotation, a statistic, or a

complaint. Be sure that this opening theme runs through your paper. Do not abandon this theme. You can use it again later to help unify your paper.

5. Provide a subtle blueprint (or "road map") for the paper. Let your reader know where you are headed (how you plan to tackle the subject) without giving away your best ideas. If, for instance, your paper breaks down into political, social, and cultural components, telegraph this to your reader so he will know what to expect.

6. Declare your thesis statement. Make sure your thesis statement clearly and explicitly answers your research question, makes an argument, and relates to a larger issue.

The thesis statement is the one or two sentence version of your argument. The thesis thus presents your reader with new information. But a good thesis will require you to introduce the concepts in it before presenting the thesis itself. That is the task of the introductory paragraph. The following introductory paragraph presents a thesis that relies on concepts which have not been properly defined and clarified:

Since the beginning of time, humans have owned one another in slavery. This brutal institution was carried to its fullest extent in the United States in the years between the American Revolution and the Civil War. Slaveholders treated their slaves as chattel, brutalizing them with the whip and the lash. The law never recognized the humanity of the slave, and similarly regarded him as property. Consequently, there was a big disparity between private and public rights of slaves.

This thesis presents two words -- "private" and "public" rights -- that are not even mentioned earlier in the paragraph. What are these things? This paragraph does nothing to establish the distinction. Instead, it is a bland statement of theme which provides little background for the thesis. Thus, when we do read the thesis, it seems to float -- the premises underlying it have not been established. Compare the last introductory paragraph with this one:

To many supporters of slavery, the nature of slave rights had a dual character. On the one hand, in order to maintain the total dominance of the white master class, the law denied any rights to slaves. Publicly, the slave was merely property, and not human at all. Yet the personal records of many planters suggest that slaves often proved able to demand customary "rights" from their masters. In the privacy of the master-slave relationship, the black man did indeed have rights which the white man was bound to respect, on pain of losing his labor or subjecting himself to violence. This conflict between slaves' lack of "public" rights and masters' "private" acknowledgment of slaves' rights undermined planters' hegemony and permitted slaves to exert a degree of autonomy and freedom within an oppressive institution.

Note how this paragraph lays the groundwork for the thesis. It is clearly structured around two competing concepts -- public and private rights -- which are then incorporated into the thesis. Nearly every element of the thesis is established in the preceding paragraph, yet the thesis itself is not a restatement of the paragraph. This paragraph even tells the reader what sources will be consulted: planters' personal records. Note finally that, in contrast to the previous paragraph, the reader now has a strong sense of what the paper will need to argue to prove its thesis.

Rubric for the introduction to a history paper

Exemplary – 2 points

Developing – 1 point

Absent or seriously flawed

Effectively establishes the problem and lays the groundwork for the thesisDefines important or unfamiliar termsLanguage is academic in style: complex, formal (no contractions), objective, explicit, hedged, and responsibleCatches the reader’s attentionProvides a roadmap for the paperDeclares the thesis statement PRESENT OR ABSENTComments:

An example:

For many years after Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox on April 9, 1865, historians laid much of the blame for the South’s defeat upon the president of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis. However, one historian, in comparing Davis to Lincoln, claims that Davis’ reputation would have been different had he been on the winning side. When a leader fails to achieve victory, even if his cause was doomed from the start, his “errors and defects and limitations of character . . . stand out as do a few spots of ink on a white sheet of paper.” This is not to say that Davis had no faults. Almost all historians agree that he suffered from character flaws. He spent far too much time on administrative details, he often interfered in purely military matters, and he allowed himself to be drawn into bitter struggles with other political leaders. The question all Civil War analysis must confront is to what extent did Davis’ failings contribute to the defeat of the Confederacy? A survey of modern studies of Davis and the Civil War reveals a softening of the historical judgment of Davis as a leader. Most historians today conclude that Jefferson Davis, despite his personal shortcomings, was probably the most capable president the Confederacy could have chosen. Indeed, given the enormous problems the Confederacy faced, Davis was a definite asset in the struggle to secede from the Union.

Name: __________________________________________________________

US History II

Grading guidelines for rough draft of term paper. Hand this in with your paper.

All work must be turned in as a hard copy. DO NOT EMAIL.

Your paper should: Value

Conform to MLA Style 6

Be proper length: 6 pages minimum for this draft, not including works cited page 4

Thesis statement must be underlined and bolded (do not underline or bold in final draft) 1

Every paragraph must have a topic sentence underlined (do not underline in final draft) 1

Paragraphs must logically develop the thesis statement 3

Conclusion must be informative, must summarize entire paper, and must restate the thesis 3

Include a works cited page 1Be accompanied by this rubric with your name supplied 1Use substantial evidence (summary, quotation, paraphrase) – that is 6

Total ____/25

Due date: On or before Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Late penalty will apply. Penalty for not returning this rubric with your rough draft.

Thesis is extremely clear and reflects in-depth understanding of the subject.

Thesis is clear and reflects clear understanding of the topic.

Thesis expresses a clear and coherent idea.

Thesis does not communicate a clear idea.

Thesis is nonsensical or unrelated to the subject reflected by the main points of the outline.

Thesis clearly shows the relationship between main ideas and the writer's opinion about the subject, and gives the paper strong structural direction.

Thesis shows the relationship between main ideas and the writer's opinion about the subject, and establishes general structure of the paper.

Thesis is overly general; does not establish the relationship between main ideas and the writer's opinion about the subject.

The basic organization of the ideas is not clearly established in the thesis.

Thesis simply lists ideas.

The specific subject of the paper is extremely clear and expressed in a sophisticated manner.

The specific subject of the paper is clearly expressed.

The subject of the paper is too general.

The specific subject of the paper is unclear.

The specific subject of the paper is not stated.

The writer expresses a sophisticated and in-depth opinion about the subject; what the writer will prove about the subject is extremely clear.

The writer expresses an in-depth opinion about the subject; what will be proven about the subject is clear.

The writer expresses an opinion about the subject.

The writer's opinion about the subject is unclear.

Thesis is nonsensical or unrelated to the subject reflected by the main points of the outline.

Thesis is written as a clear, complex, focused and correct sentence.

Thesis is grammatically correct, but is phrased awkwardly; perhaps uses a semicolon to join together ideas.

Thesis contains some minor grammatical errors.

Thesis is a fragment, run-on, or comma splice.

Thesis is incoherent.

The major points of the paper are definitely and precisely articulated.

The major points of the paper are clearly stated.

Not all the major points of the paper are clearly stated.

Difficult to understand the major points of the paper.

Outline does not include enough major points to prove the thesis.

Every major point clearly and effectively elaborates a part of the thesis.

All major points relate directly to the thesis.

Most major points relate to the thesis.

Several major points seem to not be related to the thesis.

Major points seem to address different ideas than the thesis.

Major points clearly and effectively sync with all ideas included in the thesis.

All ideas outlined in the thesis are included in major points.

One small part of the thesis has no elaboration under the major points.

There is a major discrepancy between the ideas expressed in the thesis and the points outlined.

The main points do not match the thesis.

Each major point has a wealth of details/examples to support it.

Each major point has enough examples/details to support it.

Most major points have enough examples/details to support them.

Significant lack of supporting information for major points.

Outline does not include supporting information for major points.

Supporting examples/details are clear, sophisticated, and insightfully chosen; reveal in-depth understanding of the topic.

All examples/details are directly related to the major point they support; reveal a solid understanding of the topic.

Most examples/details are clearly related to the major point they support; demonstrate only a basic understanding of the topic.

Writer does not stay focused on the topic; examples are too general; reveal limited knowledge or understanding of the topic.

Information does not relate to the topic; writer misinterprets examples/details; writer seems to not understand the topic.

Argument is extremely clear and logical; organization of ideas is very effective.

Argument is clear and logical; organization of ideas is effective.

Argument is sometimes unclear or illogical.

Argument is often unclear or illogical.

Sequence of ideas is very confusing; no apparent connection between ideas.

The MLA outline format makes it extremely easy to see the relationships between ideas and supporting information.

The MLA outline format shows the relationships between ideas and supporting information.

The outline format is occasionally unclear or inappropriate; does not always clearly show the relationships between ideas and supporting information.

The outline format is very confusing; makes it very difficult to understand the relationships between ideas and supporting information.

Information is simply listed on the page, without any indication of structural relevance.

All examples/details include a citation of the source of the information.

Most examples/details include a citation of the source of the information

Some examples/details include a citation of the source of the information.

Only 1-2 examples include citations of sources.

Sources of information are not included in the outline.