Online Reply and Evaluation Rubric

Your job is to evaluate the quality of the discussions posted by your fellow students. Analyze how well they met the superior criteria of the Discussion Rubric? Did they organize logically? Did they support their arguments with direct quotations in each paragraph from at least three different primary sources? Did they present a well-integrated argument with a logical focus in every paragraph? Did they give specific examples to support the major points made? Are formatting and length requirements met? You will need to read most of the discussion submissions in order to select the best two discussions on each side of the issue (four total). Thus, you judge the discussions according to the discussion rubric criteria, not according to whether you agree with the positions stated. Read at least 16 different discussions, then select the best two on each side of the issue (4 total). [Remember Vista keeps track of all your online activities, so read enough discussions to make a thorough evaluation.] Your reply will be graded according to the following rubric.

Points	Assessment of Contribution
Superior 9--10	Shows critical and/or creative evaluation of the four best online discussions by other students (the best two on each side of the issue). Incorporates direct quotations from at least four different discussions--two on each side. Organizes the evaluation around logical, topically focused paragraphs, with at least two examples in each. Shows with direct evidence (examples and quotations) from the discussions what makes them superior. Meets length requirement of 400-600 words. Includes parenthetical citations to any quoted discussions or documents.
Average 6-8	Exhibits good insights on what makes the arguments convincing. Quote from some of the prior discussions. Falls short in one of the elements required of a superior evaluation. More informational than analytical or evaluative.
Needs work 4-5	Minimal, needs more work. Limited critical assessment or active intellectual engagement with the evaluation process. Perhaps you did not read enough discussions to identify the superior ones.
Failing 1-3	Little or no evidence of having read and thought about the discussions. Major lapses in many rubric areas.
0	Did not submit the assignment or submitted it late.