Written Communication Rubric (3 of 4)

This page is intended for instructors only and should not be published.

Using Sources in a Written Essay

Instructors may find this written communication rubric helpful when evaluating students use of sources within an essay.  This rubric will help in identifying the overall purpose of the essay as well as the validity of the sources that were chosen. 

Note: the two middle columns are blank by design, to give you some flexibility in determining the extent to which a student meets the Capstone or Benchmark.

Criteria	Capstone - 4	3	2	Benchmark - 1
Controlling purpose and/or thesis How well does the essay advance the purpose?	The central purpose is readily apparent and all parts of the paper relate to the purpose.			The purpose is unclear.
Source Selection and critical use of sources How well does the author select and use sources?	Author evaluates all sources effectively and connects them meaningfully with the purpose.			Author does not evaluate all sources effectively and does connect them meaningfully with the purpose.
Quality of Sources Did the author use quality sources?	Sources are reliable and valid.			Sources are not reliable and valid.
Integration of Sources How well are the sources woven into the paper?	Attribution is clear and well integrated in the text.			Attribution is unclear and poorly integrated in the text.
Documentation How well were the sources documented?	Citations are used and accurately and consistently in the paper and on the reference page.			Citations are not used accurately or consistently in the paper and on the reference page.