PAPER ASSIGNMENT

GRADING/RUBRIC

Points	Purpose	Intro	Details	Discussion	Theory to Practice	Format
5	Purpose is clearly defined.  Purpose strongly aligns with the stated reason for the assignment.  No opinion included.	Clear introduction that creates a strong opening for the paper.  No opinion included.	The body of the paper includes strong, clear details from multiple credible sources.  The body is fact based and sourced and does not include opinion.  The body aligns with the purpose.	The paper ends with a strong discussion that, for the first time, provides the author’s opinion.  That opinion is strong and clearly shown to be rooted on the facts as shared in the body.	The author clearly ties theory to practice in the paper.	APA style is followed throughout.  References are in proper format in the paper’s citations and on the reference page.  There are no key facts that lack proper citation.  Grammar is solid throughout.
4	Slight/minor issues with purpose clarity and/or alignment with the reason for the assignment.	An introduction with either minor issues or that isn’t quite as strong as it could be.	The body of the paper very rarely drifts into opinion or lacks appropriate sourcing.  It may be slightly short on sources overall.  The body may be slightly misaligned with the purpose.	The opinion isn’t quite as strong as it should be.  It doesn’t take a real position on the matter at hand.	Minor issues in demonstrating the ability to tie theory to practice.	APA style is followed with minor departure.  References are substantially in proper format in the paper’s citations and on the reference page.  Very few key facts that lack proper citation.  Grammar is mostly solid throughout.
3	Issues with clarity of purpose for the paper and/or alignment with the reason for the assignment.	An introduction that has issues and/or fails to provide a strong start to the paper.	Issues with appropriate sources.  Issues with the quality sourcing.  At least one quote is included (paraphrase instead of using quotes).  Paper may be slightly short or long.	The paper ends with a discussion that either has clarity issues or issues in departure from the facts found in the body.	Issues in demonstrating the ability to tie theory to practice.	APA style issues.  Reference issues in proper format in the paper’s citations and on the reference page. Key facts that lack proper citation.  Small grammar issues throughout.
2	Major issues with clarity of purpose for the paper and/or alignment with the reason for the assignment.	An introduction that has major issues and/or fails to provide a strong start to the paper.	The body of the paper drifts into opinion or there are multiple issues with appropriate sources.  There may be greater issues with sourcing.  The body may be fairly misaligned with the purpose.  At least one question is included in the body.  At least two quotes are included (paraphrase instead of using quotes)  Paper is slightly short or long.	The paper ends with a discussion that either has major clarity issues or major issues in departure from the facts found in the body.  The opinion is weak.  Discussion includes at least one question.	Major issues in demonstrating the ability to tie theory to practice.	Major APA style issues.  Major reference issues in proper format in the paper’s citations and on the reference page. Numerous  facts lack proper citation.  Major grammar issues throughout.
1	An extreme lack of clarity in purpose, or a purpose that fails to align with the assignment.  Opinion was included.  A question serves as the purpose.	An extremely poor introduction, or a total lack of strength in the introduction.  Opinion was included. Multiple questions in the purpose.  A question was included in the introduction	The body includes far too much opinion or is not sourced appropriately to provide a factual base.  There may be major sourcing issues.  The body may be substantially misaligned with the purpose.     Issues of paper length may be involved.  Multiple questions in the body.  A block (very long) quote and/or multiple quotes.  Paper is substantially short or long.	The paper may lack a discussion, lack clarity, or totally depart from the facts found in the body.  The opinion may be weak.  Discussion includes multiple questions.	The paper doesn’t truly demonstrate the ability to tie theory to practice.	It appears there was some effort put into APA style, but the severity of APA issues is substantial and throughout the document.
0	No attempt made at purpose or paper included plagiarism.	No attempt made at intro or paper included plagiarism.	More than 1 block quote or more than 3 quotes.  No attempt made at detail inclusion or paper included plagiarism.	No attempt made at a discussion or paper included plagiarism.	No attempt made to demonstrate the ability to tie theory to practice.	No real attempt at APA format, no reference page or no serious attempt at a reference page, no citations, or paper included plagiarism.

GRADING CONTINUED

The scores above represent a 30-point paper.  Your professor reserves the right to curve the scores (to your benefit, not to your detriment).  For a 60-point paper, the scores for each level are doubled.

FORMAT EXPECTATIONS (Combine rubric comments with these)

Paper length will be presented to you elsewhere.  The cover page and appendices DO NOT count in the pages required.  12-point Times New Roman font will be used throughout because that is called for in APA format.  A cover page will be attached that uses APA format and the same font requirements.  Failure to include a cover page will result in point deduction.  A reference page (or pages) should follow the paper and follow APA format.  In-paper citations should follow APA format.  Failure to staple the paper will result in point dedication.  Paper is not complete unless a hard copy is presented on the due date (on-campus classes only) in class AND posted by that same time online.

NOTE:  Do NOT include an abstract.  Also, do NOT write both a conclusion and a discussion – they are the same thing.  Just write a discussion.  See the rubric.

CONTENT EXPECTATIONS (Combine rubric comments with these)

The paper will include a cover page, introduction, body that is exclusively based on facts, theory to practice section which is explained in the paper assignment, discussion that is your opinion based on the facts you shared in the paper prior to the discussion, and a reference page (or pages).  Appendices featuring tables and figures can be added following the references and they do NOT count in the page total.  Because the body is based on facts, you are drawing the facts from sources.  These sources should be cited in the paper in APA citation format with a corresponding full proper reference on the reference page.  The number of sources required will be communicated elsewhere.  Legitimate print magazines, academic journals, law books, and law articles are strong sources.  It is more challenging to differentiate which online sources are strong and accurate sources of data, but you should attempt to make these distinctions.  

It is important to include a clear purpose for your paper.  The purpose should indicate the topic/issue you’re examining in clear terms.  The purpose shouldn’t state an opinion.  It should explain the topic being examined.  It should be in the intro.  Your paper should then clearly follow this purpose.  You should know who the paper is directed to (its audience) and the way you write the paper should reflect your awareness of this audience in terms of tone, sophistication, respect, and clarity.  Unless otherwise stated, —your Sport Management professor—is your intended audience although you should not name him or mention that in your paper.  Therefore, the tone of the paper should be professional with no slang or SportsCenter language and you shouldn’t refer to people in your paper (including celebrities) on a first-name basis per APA style.  Your discussion should provide your strong opinion of the issue/topic based on facts.  There should be a “final verdict” of sorts that is clear, strong, and fact-based.  We should not see your opinion in the paper before the discussion.  

The body should be the largest section of the paper.  The introduction should likely be limited to a single paragraph.  The discussion should likely be one or two paragraphs unless the professor indicates otherwise in a separate assignment document.  Transitions from one paragraph to the next will help your paper flow and lead to higher scores. 

DO NOT INCLUDE HEADERS – they eat space in an unnecessary way and your grade can suffer from this.

Note:  Citing presentation slides as a source is NOT acceptable.

EDITING YOUR PAPER

Editing is the key to a good grade.  Edit your paper thoroughly on multiple occasions.  

DO NOT INCLUDE ANY QUOTES – paraphrase and cite.  I want to grade your writing.

DO NOT INCLUDE ANY QUESTIONS YOU ASK THE REASON.  

LATE PAPERS

Late papers receive a zero.  Papers must be turned in by hard copy and electronic copy.  If papers are turned in after class on the due date, then they are considered late.  

INCOMPLETE PAPERS

Papers that fail to reach the minimum page requirement receive a zero.

DISHONESTY AND PLAGIARISM

Dishonesty and plagiarism will not be tolerated.  Write your own paper.  Avoid plagiarism.  If you’re not sure what plagiarism is or how to avoid it, then do your research to understand this concept.  You should have learned this prior to this class, so excuses will not be accepted.  You will turn in both a hard copy and an electronic copy which can be tested for plagiarism.

WRITING CENTER

The writing center on campus can assist you with your paper.  However, you should not expect the writing center to proofread your paper and you should not arrange a last minute panic meeting with them.  Plan ahead.  I encourage this class after class and students fail to utilize this resource.  Failure to utilize the writing center is not wise.

PURDUE OWL

Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) is a great source for making sure your APA format is on point.  Purdue OWL can be found here:  https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/