Form 1009W

Written Communication Assessment

Levels of Achievement

Criteria Failed Unsatisfactory Marginal Developing Proficient Exemplary

Introduction 0 Points

Missing thesis.

2 Points

Weak thesis

4 Points

Thesis is not focused or relevant to the writer’s purpose.

6 Points

Thesis is partially focused or relevant to the writer’s purpose.

8 Points

Thesis is sufficiently stated and focused.

10 Points

Thesis is clearly stated, focused, and specific.

Development- Research & Support

0 Points

Major points and research do not support thesis. Failed to identify relevant sources.

2 Points

Major points and research offer weak support for thesis or are poorly developed. Insufficient source materials identified.

4 Points

Major points and research partially support thesis. Referenced minimal partially relevant sources.

6 Points

Major points and research sufficiently support thesis. Retrieved sufficient source materials.

8 Points

Major points and research fully support thesis. Identified a variety of relevant sources.

10 Points

Major and minor points and research fully support thesis throughout. Identified and critically evaluated relevant sources.

Development- Points of View

0 Points

Fails to consider any other points of view.

2 Points

Mentions one additional point of view.

4 Points

Presents other points of view but does not reason through them.

6 Points

Presents other points of view and partially reasons through them.

8 Points

Discusses multiple points of view.

10 Points

Thoroughly introduces and discusses multiple points of view.

Development- Sequencing

0 Points

No rational sequencing of major/minor points.

2 Points

Sequencing of major/minor points confuses writer’s purpose.

4 Points

Sequencing of major/minor points displays weak support for writer’s purpose.

6 Points

Sequencing of major/minor points partially supports writer’s purpose.

8 Points

Sequencing of major/minor points effectively supports writer’s purpose.

10 Points

Superb sequencing of major/minor points thoroughly supports writer’s purpose.

Development- Analysis

0 Points

Fails to show how evidence supports main points/thesis.

2 Points

Minimal analysis to link evidence to main points/thesis.

4 Points

Partial analysis of evidence to show how it supports main points/thesis.

6 Points

Some analysis of evidence to show how it supports main points/thesis.

8 Points

Clear reasoning that sufficiently ties supporting evidence to main points/thesis.

10 Points

Clear and thorough reasoning that shows how evidence supports main points/thesis.

Development- Transitions/Flow

0 Points

No transitions.

2 Points

Weak transitions throughout disrupt flow.

4 Points

Several transitions are weak or unclear.

6 Points

Transitions are mostly sufficient to maintain flow.

8 Points

Transitions effectively connect major/minor points.

10 Points

Smooth transitions throughout enhance readability.

Name

Description

Rubric Detail

Page 1 of 2

Levels of Achievement

Criteria Failed Unsatisfactory Marginal Developing Proficient Exemplary

Conclusion 0 Points

No conclusion.

2 Points

Conclusion Does not support the thesis, is disconnected from the evidence and reasoning, and/or introduces new ideas.

4 Points

Conclusion shows little support for thesis, is not sufficiently linked to the evidence and lacks reasoning.

6 Points

Conclusion partially supports thesis, is not strongly linked to the evidence.

8 Points

Conclusion is primarily clear and sufficiently reinforces thesis and major parts, and is mostly justified by the evidence.

10 Points

Conclusion is clear and reinforces thesis and major parts, and is fully justified by the evidence.

Style 0 Points

Numerous wordy, vague or irrelevant sentences. 15 or more instances of passive voice.

2 Points

Several wordy, vague or irrelevant sentences. 11- 14 instances of passive voice.

4 Points

Some sentences or paragraphs are vague. 7-10 instances of passive voice.

6 Points

Primarily clear, concise sentences and paragraphs. 4-6 instances of passive voice.

8 Points

Clear, concise sentences and paragraphs. No more than 3 instances of passive voice.

10 Points

Clear, concise sentences and paragraphs written in active voice.

Grammar 0 Points

15 or more grammar, punctuation, and/or spelling errors.

2 Points

11-14 grammar, punctuation, and/or spelling errors.

4 Points

7-10 grammar, punctuation, and/or spelling errors.

6 Points

4-6 grammar, punctuation, and/or spelling errors.

8 Points

No more than 3 grammar, punctuation, and/or spelling errors.

10 Points

No grammar, punctuation, and/or spelling errors.

APA Format 0 Points

15 or more APA format errors.

2 Points

11-14 APA format errors.

4 Points

7-10 APA format errors.

6 Points

4-6 APA format errors.

8 Points

No more than 3 APA format errors.

10 Points

No APA format errors.

Plagiarism and Direct Quotes

-31 Points

ANY plagiarism or more than 25% of essay consists of direct quotes (word count).

-10 Points

Essay consists of 16-25% direct quotes (based on word count).

0 Points

No plagiarism or excessive use of direct quotes.

0 Points

No plagiarism or excessive use of direct quotes.

0 Points

No plagiarism or excessive use of direct quotes.

0 Points

No plagiarism or excessive use of direct quotes.

Assignment Requirements

-20 Points

Essay does not meet the assignment length requirement AND was submitted after the due date.

-10 Points

Essay does not meet the assignment length requirement.

-10 Points

Essay submitted after the assignment due date.

-10 Points

Essay does not meet more than one requirement identified in the assignment instructions.

-5 Points

Essay does not meet one requirement identified in the assignment instructions.

0 Points

Met all assignment requirements.

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Instructions

Haines Research Paper:

The Haines Research Paper is an argumentative paper. The paper must be debatable and must supply other perspectives that are opposite of your opinion. An argumentative research paper consists of an introduction in which the writer clearly introduces the topic and informs the audience exactly which stance the writer intends to take; this stance is often identified as the thesis statement.

The purpose of this assignment is to have students focus on a problem or issue, make a logical argument, and assert a position. During your research, you will not simply describe a topic, but critically give thoughts and opinions about it, while drawing on ideas and theories from others in the field who have written about the topic.

Assignment Instructions:

Write a 4 – 5-page paper (no more than 5 pages), with a minimum four level one headings to include the Conclusion, and a minimum of six references, to include peer reviews. Incorporate peer review feedback into paper as appropriate.

(Note: Based upon the approved topic, thesis statement, and outline, this paper will have five level one headings, including the Conclusion).

Haines Research Paper Outline

TOPIC: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

NARROWED TOPIC: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among U.S. Military personnel

TITLE: Causes and Impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

THESIS: Despite the U.S. government measures to reduce Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) cases, combat exposure is still a leading cause of the development of PTSD among U.S. military personnel, including active-duty service members and veterans.

I. Causes and Impact of Post-Traumatic Disorder

II. Prevalence of PTSD in the U.S. Military

A. Vietnam Veterans

B. Persian Gulf War Veterans

C. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans

III. The Signs of PTSD

A. Constant Mood Swings

B. Avoidance

C. Extreme Physical Reaction

D. Detachment from the Family and Friends

E. Poor Personal Relations

IV. PTSD Risk Factors

A. Traumatic Events

B. Lack of Support

C. Genetic Factors

D. Previous Trauma

V. Preventive Measures

A. Service-wide Interventions

B. Interventions for Individuals exposed to Trauma

1. Brief Early Interventions

2. Psychologic Debriefing

3. Pharmacotherapy

VI. Conclusion