Research Essay 

The Research Essay is worth 20% of your final grade. 

 

The Persuasive Essay allows you to demonstrate your writing skills and ability to organize ideas effectively. As discussed in the instructions for the Research Essay Outline, you must choose an issue* on which people's opinions may differ. Then, you must make an argument for your position that is well supported by logic and facts.  

 

*The following topics cannot be used for the essay: abortion, euthanasia, death penalty or religion. 

INSTRUCTIONS 

These instructions have two parts: 

1. Grading criteria and rubric for essay components 2. Sample essay sections to use as writing guidelines. 

1. Grading Criteria for Essay Components 

2. Content 

• Content is well developed, 700-1,000 words, not including direct quotations and bibliography.
• Points are supported with solid research.
• Researched information is illustrated with relevant examples and supported quotations where applicable.

3. Organization of Facts and Ideas 

Your organization of ideas must 

• Be logical and appropriate to the document's audience and purpose.
• Show a clear progression from the introduction through to the conclusion.

 

SPECIFIC GRADING CRITERIA 

• Essay has a three-part structure: introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Introduction contains the thesis statement, i.e., a clear, controlling idea of what will be in the essay and an overview of the points that will be discussed.
• Body is divided into paragraphs according to the overview in the thesis statement.
• Paragraphs are unified in their content.
• Conclusion takes reader back to controlling idea/overview (no new information.)

3. Style Elements 

Your tone, flow, paragraph structure and word choices must be skillfully employed to suit the audience and purpose of your essay. 

 

SPECIFIC GRADING CRITERIA 

• Transitions within and among paragraphs are well done.
• Word choice is correct and relevant.
• Phrasing has little or no awkwardness.

4. Grammar, Etc. 

You demonstrate that you have mastered sentence structure and have a good knowledge of grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. 

 

SPECIFIC GRADING CRITERIA 

• Sentence formation does not include run-on sentences, sentence fragments, and faulty construction (syntax).
• Verb use does not include subject-verb disagreement, incorrect tense, and overuse of the passive voice.
• Pronoun use does not include incorrect pronoun case (subject, object, and possessive) and noun-pronoun disagreement.
• Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are done correctly.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

For the Research Essay here are some potential steps and guidelines you can follow 1 Topic Selection Choose a relevant and debatable topic that intere... View the full answer