Rubric for the I-Search Research Process

The I-Search paper must be written in first-person narrative format.

Category	4	3	2	1	Score
Introduction	Excellent lead draws reader into paper and establishes an argumentative line (thesis). Clearly evident what the writer knew before the research began and what he/she wanted to know about this topic.	Good lead. Thesis is there but may be too general. Fairly evident what the writer knew before the research began and what he/she wanted to know about this topic.	Weak lead. Unclear what interested the writer about the topic. Lacks a clear argumentative line.	No lead. No evidence writer thought about what he/she wanted to know about the topic.
The Hunt	Strong narrative format. Failures and successes in searching described, interesting description of search.  Significant review of materials.	Narrative format. General description of search and review of materials included in paper.	Attempts narrative format. Minimum possible resources reviewed, short/sketchy description of search process.	Little or no independent research strategy is evident.
Results	Conclusion strongly supported with examples, details, stories, and arguments which help reader understand how writer got from beginning questions to end results.	Good conclusions supported with examples, stories, etc. Further areas to explore described.	Conclusions stated but not described. Statement made about further areas to explore.	No clear evidence that writer cam up with his/her own conclusions. No indication that student has been led to further areas of exploration.
What Next?	Intelligent discussion of further questions and research.	Notes further research ideas.	Shows little awareness of new questions and research.	No evidence of awareness of further questions and research.
References	Includes at least two peer reviewed articles, two books, two internet sources, and an interview.  Follows MLA/APA guidelines and form in citation and Works Cited page.	May be missing a required source.  Generally follows MLA/APA guidelines and format.	Has made a valiant attempt to cite sources and use correct form.  Missing two or more sources, and has significant errors in form.	Little or no attempt made to follow style.   Missing several sources, and has significant errors in form
Correctness	First-person, narrative; There are no or few errors which do not affect the text. Includes headings.	There are few errors which do not affect the text significantly.	Several errors- some of which significantly affect the text.	Numerous errors affecting the text significantly.