Research Paper Rubric for Informative Writing

Research-based informative writing is scored against five categories — Conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization, labeled C.O.P.S), Organization, Quality of Information, Citing Reliable Sources, and Research Process/Notes — each rated at 0, 2, 4, or 6 points with a written descriptor at every level, for a maximum total of 30 points. The Organization row specifically expects three paragraphs with a clear hook, thesis, and conclusion, while the Citing Reliable Sources row distinguishes between properly cited, reliable sources and plagiarized or improperly cited information. A Research Process/Notes row separately evaluates how neatly and independently a student recorded research notes, from fully independent and orderly to requiring peer or teacher assistance. Fields for student name, class, total score, and notes are provided at the top and bottom of the single-page form. Teachers assigning a full research project rather than scoring an existing paper can pair this rubric with a country research project that walks students through the same research, note-taking, and source-citation process this rubric assesses.