Term Paper Evaluation Worksheet printable pdf download

Term Paper Evaluation Worksheet

Course: __________________

Student: ___________________________

Term Papers are evaluated using an equally weighted combination of three factors: 1)

Style and Format; 2) Research Effort; 3) Analysis and Argument

1) Style and Format:

ORGANIZATION: Provide a clear introduction, setting out the central topic(s) or question(s), and how

the paper will proceed to address them. This is followed by a systematic exposition of ideas, not straying

from the topic, and leading to a conclusion summarizing the main points in the paper.

STYLE: This involves elements such as the grammar, literacy, intelligibility of expression, proper citing of

sources, consistency of footnote and bibliography style.

2) Research Effort

The main window to research effort is the bibliography. Are relevant and important citations correctly

identified? For current affairs topics, this will involve the use of sources which are current to the date of

submission. For theoretical papers, are the key foundational articles and most recent extensions properly

identified?

Beyond this, the paper is examined to verify that there is appropriate use of the relevant sources. Particular

attention is also given to assessing whether the paper topic related to course themes and, where

appropriate, to selected course readings.

3) Analysis and Argument

ARGUMENT: Do you present a coherent and reasonable argument? Is it consistent with, and supported

by, your evidence? Is it logically consistent? Does it take into account major counter arguments?

It is not necessary to present original analysis. What is important is that arguments and analysis which have

been made by others have been correctly understood.

4) Other Factors

It is essential that norms of academic honesty be followed. The reader of the paper ought to be able to

recreate the process by which the paper was written by verifying the citations which are given in the paper.

It is not acceptable to paraphrase an article and not provide adequate citation. It is even more

unacceptable to reproduce sections of an article or book verbatim without first placing quotations around

the citation and accurately referencing the source.

Term Paper Evaluation Worksheet