If you could please try to make the essay seem more academic/professional. its APA 8th eddition
Introduction (3 marks)
A strong introduction:
· Clearly highlights the relevant issue and provides context for the reader (1 mark)
· Clearly defines key terms as they arise and/or are needed, places them in the context of the essay (1 mark)
· Clearly provides the reader with the necessary information they need to understand why the writer is making the claim that they are (1 mark)
o e.g. historical overview, use of stats/prevalence rates, a recent example, defining important terms or the controversy around the topic, etc. – you may include some, all, or none of these; what you include for contextual information depends on your topic and claim!
Claim/thesis statement (3 marks)
The claim is:
· Singular (1 mark)
· Argumentative/debateable (not phrased as a question) (1 mark)
· Is found towards the end of the introduction and context-setting (1 mark)
Body/Supporting Points/Counter-arguments (16 marks)
Has at least two, and no more than four, supporting arguments (10 marks):
· Clearly stated (2 marks)
· Clearly explained, relying on scholarly/empirical evidence (8 marks)
o Supporting arguments are well-explained, rely on empirical evidence, and interpret the evidence relying on the author’s voice (7-8 marks)
o Supporting arguments are explained, generally rely on empirical evidence but may need more, AND/OR have some issues with clarity and relying on the author’s voice (5-6 marks)
o Supporting arguments are present, but not well-explained AND/OR do not rely on sufficient evidence, AND/OR writing is primarily summarizing with minimal use of the author’s voice (3-4 marks)
o Less than 2 minimum or more than 4 maximum supporting arguments, not explained at all, AND/OR or no reliance on evidence (0-2 marks)
Has addressed at least two counter-claims (6 marks):
· Counter-claims clearly stated/addressed (2 marks)
· Counter-claims explained – why would someone hold that belief, what does the evidence say? (2 marks)
· Effective rebuttal of each counter-claim, relying on evidence for each (2 marks)
Conclusion (3 marks)
A strong conclusion:
· Clearly emphasizes the significance of the claim within the context of the issue (1 mark)
· Addresses possible limitations, incorporates limitations into claim, and/or suggests future research/prevention/interventions (as appropriate for the topic and claim) (1 mark)
· Highlights clear consequences, implications of the claim (1 marks)
Overall evaluation of flow, logic, style, quality of writing (5 marks)
· Combinations of: no or minimal spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors; effective transitions between paragraphs and essay sections; appropriately-sized paragraphs (approx. 1/3 – 3/4 of a page); if used, properly formatted sub-headings; no quotes unless appropriate; no slang or colloquialisms; avoids passive voice, lack of precision, and wordiness; uses scientific language and terminology; avoids biased or loaded language (4-5 marks)
· Combinations of: has spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation errors that make comprehension more difficult; occasional effective transitions between paragraphs and sections; usually appropriately-sized paragraphs; if used, some sub-heading formatting errors; occasional use of slang, colloquialisms, passive voice, imprecision, or wordiness; some problematic terminology and/or biased or loaded language (2-3 marks)
· Combinations of: spelling, grammar, and punctuation make it difficult to follow; transitions are absent or ineffective between paragraphs and sections; inappropriate paragraph lengths; excessive use of slang, colloquialisms, passive voice, imprecision, or wordiness; significant use of problematic terminology and/or biased language (0-1 marks)
APA Formatting (10 marks total)
Basic Formatting (4 marks)
· A title page at all (0.5 marks)
· Page numbers (including on the title page) (0.5 marks)
· Consistent font (0.5 marks)
· Double-spaced (0.5 marks)
· Proper title that reflects your topic AND your position in your essay (1 mark)
o i.e. “Final Essay” is not a title!
o “Social media has negative consequences for young people” is a title that includes the topic and a position on said topic (note: this title cannot be used! Make up your own!)
· Proper running head throughout document that is a shortened version of your essay title (1 mark)
References (6 marks)
· In-text references (2 marks)
o Are correctly formatted and consistent throughout 100% of the time (2 marks)
o Are incorrectly formatted, but with 1 error consistent throughout (1 marks)
o Are incorrectly formatted, with 2 errors consistently OR are absent/not in APA format at all (0 marks)
o Please note: you should not be including the article names, journal names, or authors’ first names or initials in your essay. This is not correct formatting of in-text references, and you WILL be docked marks for it!
· Reference list (4 marks)
o Separate reference page AND correctly titled “References” (1 mark)
o Reference formatting (3 marks)
§ Are correctly formatted and consistent throughout 100% of the time (3 marks)
§ Are incorrectly formatted, but with the SAME 1 minor error consistent throughout (2 marks)
§ Are incorrectly formatted, with 2 minor (though not always the same) OR 1 major error(s) consistently (1 mark)
§ Are incorrectly formatted, with 3 minor errors OR 2 major errors consistently OR are absent or not in APA format at all (0 marks)
*Reminder: Minor APA citation errors can include, but are not limited to, errors related to commas/periods, external link and DOI formatting, parentheses, font styles, sentence- and title-case formatting.
Major APA citation errors can include, but are not limited to, errors related to author names, formatting of years and dates, external links and DOIs, journal name formatting, volume and issue formatting, hanging indents.