Evaluating English 161 Research Papers

Taking a Position:  The writer articulates a newly developed position as a contribution to a significant public conversation. The position relates to key themes discussed in the class materials and work. The writer attends to the consequences of his or her position, its personal relevance, and the potential or real public impact.

Developing Arguments in Context: The writer understands that arguments emerge from important public conversations in which participants respond to each other as if in dialogue. They question claims, ask questions about evidence, consider the appropriateness of the evidence, qualify their assertions, and respond to counter claims.

Using Sources Effectively: The writer identifies and reviews appropriate source material relevant to his or her position, characterizes the sources’ arguments, discusses disciplinary methods and approaches, provides historical context, critiques the sources, and considers the sources’ perspectives.

Engaging Intellectual Strategies: The writer demonstrates the ability to engage in a dialogue of ideas with the sources used in the paper. The work is enhanced by the ability to summarize, synthesize, and analyze. In addition, writers demonstrate how appropriate paraphrasing and quoting contribute to this dialogue of ideas.

Using Language Appropriately: The writer makes language and stylistic choices appropriate to the audience and purpose. The writer also cites sources appropriately, integrating the cited material into the writer's work.