COMM 289 Theory Analysis Paper

COMM 289 Theory Analysis Paper Grading Rubric

 

Evaluation Key: Poor (1), Below Average (2), Average (3), Above Average (4), Excellent (5)

 

CATEGORY                                                                                                                      1  2  3  4  5

Introduction – Introduction introduces the main topic and the theory, presents your thesis in terms of Griffin’s objective/interpretive standards, and previews the paper.

Theory Summary – Summary thoroughly covers the key terms, concepts, and ideas of the theory.

 

Theory Summary – Summary provides an insightful understanding of the theory using Griffin’s textbook and other academic sources.

Theory Worldview – Worldview correctly identifies the theory as objective or interpretive, places it on Griffin’s Map, and explains the reasons for its location.

Theory Worldview – Worldview accurately places the theory on the appropriate side for epistemology/axiology/ontology and provides detailed reasons for this placement.

Theory Analysis – Analysis is an insightful, thorough, and detailed evaluation of the theory, and provides compelling evidence from multiple sources as support.

Theory Analysis – Analysis identifies both the strengths and weaknesses of the theory, and provides evidence for your arguments.

References – References are used to cite evidence and are relevant to the theory. References show a variety and depth of research (books, journal articles, etc.).

Writing style – Paper is written in a clear and organized manner with very few writing errors.

APA style – Paper uses correct APA style for formatting, in-text citations, and the Reference page.

 

YOUR PAPER’S SCORE:

 

General Grading Standards

The following are general grading standards that will be applied to the Research Paper in this class.

Grade A: Excellent or “Super Star”

Implies excellence in thinking and performance. Shows detailed understanding of concepts and principles. Is well organized. Makes a sophisticated argument. Uses excellent structure and transitions from point to point. Supports all claims. Ideas flow logically. Arguments are reasonable and sound. There are few/no mechanical mistakes (excellent sentence structure, grammar, diction, punctuation, citation is accurate APA, spelling), clear, unambiguous sentences, well written. In the best A-level papers, an intelligent voice seems to speak and has something interesting to say, says it clearly and gracefully to an appropriate audience and supports it fully. These papers raise important questions and issues, analyze key questions and problems clearly and precisely, clarify key concepts effectively, use language in keeping with educated usage, demonstrate a commitment to reason carefully, displaying excellent reasoning and problem-solving. Work is precise, clear, well reasoned, and insightful. Works consistently at a high level of intellectual excellence.

Grade B: Above Average or “Good”

Implies sound thinking and performance. Promising. Clear, precise, good organization, continuity, well reasoned, but does not have depth of insight or originality. Probably some minor mechanical errors but no major ones. Ideas are reasonable. Shows comprehension beyond basic concepts and principles. Thought has obviously gone into the paper; it is solid but not striking. Papers that are competent but remain on a surface level of analysis tend to fall into this range. B-level papers often raise questions and issues, analyze questions and problems clearly and precisely, recognize questionable assumptions, clarify key concepts competently, typically use language in keeping with educated usage, begin to reason carefully. Work might be needed on stylistic points such as wordiness, unclear transitions, or APA.