Copyright 2022 Post University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ENG 130: Literature and Comp
ENG 130: Research Essay
Essay ENG 130: Research Essay
This assignment focuses on your ability to: evaluate researched source materials to be
academic, valid, and reliable; to incorporate research fluidly into an essay format; to cite researched
information properly in APA format.
The purpose of completing this assignment is: learning how to research valid and reliable
sources is an important lifelong skill for school, career, and personal life. You will need to know how
to synthesize researched information and present it effectively. As a student of Post, please be sure
you use this assignment to solidify your mastery of APA text citations. Ask your instructor questions!
______________________________________________________________
Prompt (what you are writing about):
Who is Harper Lee and how is her life reflected in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Instructions (How to get it done):
• Log in to the library database and search for information on Harper Lee’s biography and the
history of To Kill a Mockingbird.
• You must have at least two outside sources (does not include TKA Mockingbird) that are
academic and reliable.
• Create an essay that is at least two pages and relates the following information:
o Information on who is author Harper Lee
o How is her life reflected in To Kill a Mockingbird?
• Be sure to avoid plagiarism and put the researched information in to your own words. Do not
cut and paste!
• Note: This is a research essay and not an argumentative essay. The skills reflected are to find
academic and reliable sources and use them in a research-based essay.
Requirements:
• Length and format: at least 2-3 pages.
• The title page and reference page are also required, but they should not be factored into the
2-3 page length of the essay.
• Essay should conform to APA formatting and citation style.
• Use the third-person, objective voice, avoiding personal pronouns such as “I,” “you,” “we,” etc.
• Create a properly formatted APA reference page.
• Use APA format for in-text citations and reference citations for To Kill a Mockingbird and
outside sources.
• Please be cautious about plagiarism. Make sure to use in-text citations for direct quotes,
paraphrases, and new information.
Copyright 2022 Post University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Research Essay Rubric
Does Not Meet
Expectations
0-11
Below
Expectations
12-13
Needs
Improvement
14-15
Satisfactory
16-17
Meets
Expectations
18-20
Organization Many details are
not in a logical or
expected order.
The paper does
not use
paragraphs.
Writing may have
little discernible
organization, but
some details are
not in a logical or
expected order.
The paper uses
paragraphs
ineffectively.
Writing has
adequate
discernible
organization.
Paragraphs are
generally used
effectively.
Writing is
organized and
details are placed
in a logical order.
Paragraphs are
mostly used
effectively.
Writing is
effective,
purposeful, and
well-organized.
Paragraphs are
used effectively.
Choice of
Academic
Sources
Student does not
include outside
sources.
Student has
sources but they
are not academic
and reliable.
Evidence may or
may not relate to
the correct topic of
the essay.
Student chooses
one outside
source that is
academic and
reliable. Some of
the evidence
supports the
correct topic of the
essay.
Student chooses
at least two
outside sources
that are academic.
Most of the
evidence supports
the correct topic of
the essay.
Student chooses
at least two
outside sources
that are academic
and reliable. All
evidence supports
the correct topic of
the essay.
Integration of
Research
Does not include
researched
evidence and/or
text support is not
cited.
Minimal
researched
evidence is used
and/or has many
errors in citation
formatting.
Researched
evidence is used
from one outside
source and/or
citation formatting
has some errors.
Researched
evidence is used
from two outside
sources and/or
citation formatting
has some errors.
Researched
evidence is
insightfully
integrated from at
least two outside
sources AND is
properly cited.
Grammar and
Mechanics
Grammar and
mechanics’ errors
make the essay
incomprehensible.
Grammar, spelling,
punctuation, and
mechanics errors
occur throughout
document. Word
choices are seldom
academic.
Sentence structure
may be illogical or
unclear.
Several errors in
grammar,
punctuation,
spelling and
mechanics
present. Word
choice reveals
some
understanding of
academic
language
requirements.
Many sentence
structure issues
exist.
Some spelling,
grammar,
punctuation and
mechanical errors
are evident.
Academic
language is
upheld. The
sentence structure
is often logical and
clear so that
relationships
among ideas are
established.
Free of
punctuation,
spelling, grammar,
and other
mechanical errors.
Consistent use of
academic word
choices.
Sentence
structure is mostly
logical and clear.
0-3 4-6 7-7 8-8 9-10
Title Page APA
7th edition
formatting
Student does not
provide a title
page
Student has
multiple formatting
errors in the title
page OR uses the
APA 6th edition
title page.
Student has three
to four formatting
errors in the APA
7th edition title
page.
Student has one
to two formatting
error in the APA
7th edition title
page.
Student uses a
correctly formatted
APA 7th edition
title page.
Reference
Citation/Page
APA 7th edition
formatting
Student does not
provide a
reference page.
Student has
multiple formatting
errors in the
Student has three
to four formatting
errors in the APA
7th edition
Student has one
to two formatting
errors in the APA
7th edition
Student uses
correctly formatted
APA 7th edition
reference citations
Copyright 2022 Post University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
reference
citations/page.
reference
citations/page.
reference citations
and references
page.
and reference
page.
