TOPIC

• Topic is appropriate for the assignment
• Topic is narrow enough to be thoroughly explored within the length of the assignment

SOURCES

• Number of sources consulted meet or exceed the requirements of the assignment
• Sources chosen are the best and most relevant for the topic and are credible and applicable
• Most of available sources have been examined; no significant gaps in research
• Includes examination of sources that are contradictory to the argument presented in the paper
• Includes appropriate primary sources
• Bibliography is accurate and complete

CITATIONS AND QUOTES

• Volume of direct quotes is appropriate for the assignment; footnotes/endnotes are accurate and complete
• Citations are primarily paraphrases
• Paraphrases are your own wording completely
• Paraphrases correctly interpret the source
• Paper includes few quotations; material is appropriate for quotation; quotations are exact

THESIS

• Thesis is clearly articulated - the position taken is readily apparent to readers
• The thesis is an argument that analyzes, interprets, or explains the topic in a new light, not just reports on it
• The thesis is not a summary statement or announcement

DEVELOPMENT/BODY

• Each paragraph makes a point which supports the thesis
• Sources cited support the point of the paragraph and of the paper and contribute toward the overall development of the argument
• Sources that disagree with or contradict the thesis are addressed appropriately
• Paraphrases, not quotations, predominate
• Source material is clearly distinguished from your own ideas
• Quotations serve a purpose; you absolutely couldn’t have said it better yourself
• Quotations are introduced and clearly contextualized
• Long quotations are correctly set off with block indentation, according to style manual guidelines
• Language is clear, concise, and scholarly

DOCUMENTATION

CITATIONS

• Are in correct and appropriate format for citations (Turabian for MALS courses), including correct punctuation (colons vs. periods,etc.)
• All source material is documented; no plagiarism, either unintentional or otherwise
• All references are accurate (source and page number)

WORKS CITED

• Employs correct and appropriate style (such as Chicago Style ) for bibliography
• Includes all sources used in the paper, including primary sources
• Includes complete and accurate information
• Are alphabetized by author’s last name or appropriate substitute, according to style guidelines
• Indents second and subsequent lines
• Uses appropriate format for each type of source: books, periodicals, reference works, etc.
• Provides stable URL or DOI for each electronic source (e.g., Websites, e-journals, listservs)