Research Essay (25%)
Due in Week 12 (if you want comments on your paper)
Due in Week 13 (if you just want a filled out rubric)
Your final project is a research essay (following the Toulmin Model). Whereas your
presentation was about presenting both sides of your topic, your essay will pick one side of
the topic and develop that argument.
Your body paragraphs should follow the Toulmin Model and include a Claim, Data,
Warrant(s), Backing, and Qualifiers/Rebuttals (if appropriate).
Requirements
• Your research essay must be 5-7 pages double-spaced (including references)
• Your essay must be written in Times New Roman, 12 point font
• You do not need a title page
• Your file must be .docx
• Your essay must include (at least) 5 peer-reviewed academic sources
• No more than 30% of the assignment can be another’s referenced words or ideas
o If a paper simply “reassembles” sources, then this constitutes a breach of
academic honesty/integrity, and could potentially result in a mark of
0. Failure to reference in text will also result in a grade of 0 and may be
subject to academic integrity protocol.
• Please be aware that your paper will be processed through Turnitin. Students will be
able to resubmit their essay file until the deadline without academic penalty.
o Turnitin is a useful diagnostic tool to assist students in determining if too
much of their paper is cited material, but it should not be relied upon for that
purpose. Students are expected to review their own work to ensure that it
meets the assignment requirements and the expectations of Sheridan’s
academic integrity policy. The use of AI writing programs constitutes a breach
of academic integrity at Sheridan College.
Rubric
Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
Argument Compelling, Convincing, Thesis present, Thesis present,
nuanced thesis thorough thesis but general but unclear
Several points Several points Uneven points in Missing support
are convincing. are persuasive. support of thesis. of thesis. Points
Points are Points are Points are are limited or
supported with supported, but a missing links or have unreliable
reliable bit shaky unconvincing evidence
Effective Somewhat Ineffective Ineffective
refutation of a effective refusal refusal of a refusal of a
counter- of a counter- counter- counter-
argument argument argument argument
Research At least five At least four At least two Less than two
Quality peer-reviewed, peer-reviewed, peer-reviewed, peer-reviewed
sources relevant sources relevant sources sources
At least eight Mostly required Includes some Includes some
cited quotations quotations quotations quotations
Quotations Quotations Quotations are Quotations are
smoothly smoothly not smoothly not smoothly
introduced and introduced and introduced and introduced and
integrated integrated integrated integrated
Quotations Quotes mostly Quotations may Quotations may
well-chosen well-chosen not be relevant not be relevant
Research Research Research Evidence needs
significance is significance is significance is more explanation
clearly mostly clearly not clearly
explained explained explained
Composition / Ideas are clearly Ideas are clearly Ideas are not Ideas are not
Organization organized organized organized organized
Essay is well- Essay is well- Essay is not Essay is not
organized organized organized organized
Each paragraph Most topic Most topic Most topic
has an effective sentences are sentences are sentences are
topic sentence effective not effective not effective
Writing is Writing is Writing is Writing needs
complex and complex and complex but revision
clear clear needs revision
APA/MLA Essay follows Consistently Generally Some effort to
Citations APA or MLA correct use of correct use of use APA or
flawlessly, in APA or MLA APA or MLA MLA, but many
both layout and errors
citation